Accelya launches new cross-industry NDC adoption programme

Partners with Sabre and Amex GBT

Airline technology solutions company, Accelya, has rolled out NDC FastTrack, a cross-industry enablement program designed to accelerate practical adoption of the New Distribution Capability (NDC).

Launched with Sabre and American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) as the inaugural partners, NDC FastTrack equips travel sellers, technology providers, and corporate buyers with practical resources to accelerate NDC success.

SAP Concur welcomes the initiative and the collaborative approach it represents.

With Accelya experiencing 146% year-over-year growth in corporate NDC volumes for 2024 compared to 2023, it’s clear NDC adoption is gaining pace.

NDC FastTrack – open by invitation to major travel sellers, corporate platforms, and technology providers with proven reach and implementation at scale – accelerates modern airline retailing through regular activities fostering collaboration, openness, and a customer-first mindset.

Sabre will bring its global reach, trusted agency relationships, and a demonstrated commitment to expanding NDC through cross-industry collaboration.

In addition, Amex GBT brings its technical expertise and superior service in delivering an end-to-end NDC experience for corporate customers.

Accelya, powering more than 50% of all NDC transactions globally, leads the industry-wide effort, making NDC adoption simpler, faster, and more effective. 

NDC FastTrack equips major travel sellers, technology providers, and corporate buyers with practical resources to accelerate their success with NDC, including:

• Shared roadmap coordination to align timelines, close functionality gaps, and increase delivery transparency
• Implementation frameworks and technical guidance to streamline and accelerate deployments
• Dedicated buyer engagement via the Business Travel Innovation Group (BIG), giving corporate travel programs a stronger voice in shaping NDC adoption and aligning solutions with real-world managed travel needs
• Use cases, case studies, and proof points to highlight real-world adoption and outcomes
• Joint enablement and training resources to support ecosystem-wide alignment and readiness

“NDC is growing fast, bringing real benefits to airlines, travel sellers, and the broader ecosystem,” said Sam Gilliland, CEO of Accelya. “We’ve long believed NDC would become the mainstream standard for airline retailing, and now, the industry is coming together to accelerate it.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sabre and Amex GBT as our first program partners. With their distribution reach and strong relationships across the travel seller community, both are well placed to help drive real-world adoption.”

“We're also encouraged by the support and endorsement of SAP Concur, further aligning the industry around a more modern, connected retailing experience.”

Sabre leads the industry in NDC content breadth among global GDS providers and has consistently demonstrated success in scaling adoption in real-world agency settings.

“We’ve built the foundations and proven the success of NDC in real-world environments,” said Kathy Morgan, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Distribution Experience at Sabre.

“Now it’s time for speed and growth, cementing the shift toward smarter, more personalised retailing experiences for travel agencies and buyers worldwide.

The program will formally launch at the GBTA Convention 2025 in Denver with key parts of the program including enablement activities and workshops, rolling out through the group in the coming months.