China Eastern Airlines has become the first carrier in mainland China to sign an agreement with travel technology leader Amadeus for international NDC (New Distribution Capability) distribution. The partnership aims to provide travel sellers worldwide with access to the airline’s richer, customizable content and ancillary products.
Javier Laforgue, Executive Vice President, Travel Unit & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Amadeus, said, “China Eastern Airlines is an important and valued partner. The agreement signed today is a milestone for Amadeus, expanding our presence in the key Chinese airline market. The deal deepens our collaboration with China Eastern Airlines and will provide our global network of travel sellers with the ability to easily search, shop, and service product offerings from the airline.”
With NDC technology, China Eastern Airlines will be able to offer travel sellers a wider range of unique offers and product attributes, granting travelers enhanced choice and improved customer service. Travel sellers will also benefit from further access to enriched China domestic airline content.
Fu Jian, Vice President, Commercial Development, China Eastern Airlines, commented, “We want to provide our customers around the world with more choice and personalization when booking travel with us and NDC is one of the key enablers to do this. It is also an important initiative for China Eastern Airlines to accelerate the recovery of international traffic and enhance the expansion of its overseas sales channels.”
China Eastern Airlines, one of China’s three state-owned backbone airlines, operates an extensive network of international and domestic services from its core cities of Shanghai and Beijing, as well as regional air hubs in China. As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, the carrier seeks to expand its global reach through innovative partnerships like this one with Amadeus.
The agreement marks a significant step for Amadeus in deepening its presence in the Chinese airline market and facilitating the adoption of NDC technology among key industry players. By working together, China Eastern Airlines and Amadeus aim to improve the travel experience for customers worldwide while driving the recovery and growth of international air travel.
