Rick Zeni

What is #AirCanada’s biggest #NDC challenge? What does the future hold for the program? As the airline unveils more NDC features and benefits, Lisa M. Pierce, VP, global sales and Air Canada Vacations at Air Canada, connects with PAX to unpack the strategy. Lisa M. Pierce , NACD.DC #aviation #aviationnews #airlines #airtravel #ACV #travelindustry #travelindustrynews #travelagencies #travelnews

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American Airlines Reverses Course on AAdvantage and NDC. Amid recent financial setbacks, American Airlines announced a rethink of the airline’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) plans and some AAdvantage requirements. Initially aimed at enhancing the airline shopping experience and pushing direct bookings, these plans faced significant industry pushback. Read the full article: https://ow.ly/WMiE50S1gvU #AviationNews #AmericanAirlines #NDC #AAdvantage #TravelIndustry #AirlineStrategy #BusinessNews

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Over my three decades of experience, I’ve seen many low-cost carriers (LCCs) flourish and continually evolve. Their strategies for growth can vary, but they remain centered on ways to expand their network and deliver value to customers on their own or with their chosen partners.  Today, at Navitaire, an Amadeus company we have many LCC and hybrid airline customers that have added and continue to increase the number of interline and codeshare services they offer.  They have found that interline partnerships can bring a lot of benefits for travelers, as well as airlines.   For passengers, interlines mean they can book ‘through itineraries’ to more destinations on two or more airlines with less hassle than booking each one separately. They can often check-in through to their destination and don’t need to transfer their bags.   Beyond the opportunity to extend their network via partners, interline deals give LCCs more ways to help them grow, as identified in our Travel Technology Investment Trends research.  For example, 54% of LCCs see access to higher value fares as the leading benefit from such arrangements, and 50% said it would offer opportunities to drive more bookings overall. Other perks included a chance to sell additional ancillary services such as express boarding or extra leg room.   Some 36% of LCC respondents said that they are already partnering or interlining with traditional full-service carriers (FSCs) today. We at Navitaire, an Amadeus company expect this number to increase as the next generation of airline technology makes these connections between business models easier than ever.   Find out more in our full report, here: https://lnkd.in/gX5W8eEp   #AmadeusTechTrends2024 #ModernRetailing #ThoughtLeadership #Aviation #Navitaire 

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The call is urgent and the need is now to transform redundant and physically straining processes using robotics and Ai, But… 👩‍🚀 are we there yet? 🧗🏼‍♀️Are industries, R&D labs, universities and various other collaborators meeting at the right apex? 🙌🏼 How can we facilitate it? Read up in this exclusive interview the various perspectives of integrating robotics and Ai in aviation and I invite you to think along.

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There's a lot of giddiness this week among TMCs at American Airlines' apparent about face on their sales and distribution strategy. One TMC email talked about American's "NDC disaster" being proven a "massive failure". Some are taking great delight in this weeks news and it really is noteworthy how successful travel buyers were at "voting with their feet". But after they finish gloating, what will TMCs say to their customers who still can't purchase a Main Cabin Extra seat on their booking tool? Or change their tickets as easily as they can on AA-dot-com? Or be able to instantly choose another option when a flight is canceled or delayed due to weather? Firing Vasu Raja doesn't fix these things. That's why the real story is much more nuanced than "American's NDC strategy failed." The truth is American tried to do two very different things at once. They began openly thumbing their noses at their corporate customers, believing that they could win with just business that comes direct. But at the same time, they aggressively pursued an NDC agenda to make the experience for those who DON'T book direct better. When we conflate these two very different initiatives, we miss important points. Yes, by all accounts American was wrong to believe that they could alienate large corporates. But they were RIGHT to believe that third party sellers have to move off legacy distribution technology to deliver the choices, convenience, and servicing capabilities that travelers -- especially younger ones -- increasingly demand. Even while American was tearing down their sales infrastructure, they were simultaneously investing more time, money, and resources than any other airline into modernizing their ability to sell through third parties. Now that they are trying to make nice, I hope they don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I urge American to seize this opportunity to not just rethink what they've done wrong, but also double down on what they've done right. Airline corporate sales philosophies ebb and flow but technology tends to endure. Long term, if we want TMCs and online booking tools to be relevant, they need to be able to offer the same content, options, and servicing that travelers get on airline web sites. NDC can help an airline be able to say to their loyal travelers: you can book however and wherever you want and you won't get a diminished experience. I hope AA quickly removes the restriction on AAdvantage for Business points not being able to be earned through TMCs. Next, I'd love them to make NDC tickets fully interoperable, so travelers who book through a corporate booking tool can change on AA-dot-com and then still be able use the tool for viewing, reporting, or subsequent changes. When used right NDC creates choice -- it doesn't inhibit. American has done some heavy lifting that can serve them well if they keep their heads down and continue iterating, while at the same time re-engaging with the corporate buyers they've left behind.

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Ouch... https://lnkd.in/gCTw_pgc Most people who read my musings and punditry know I like a contrarian view. I think this one is a little harsh until you get to the numbers. After all stocks are all about numbers (and gambling). #Sabre is not covering itself in glory at the moment and it needs to in order to keep pace with #Amadeus. #Travelindustry

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Aviation Week Network just released its 2024 Operations Planning Guide. Author Paul LaFata once again asked API's Sheryl Barden, CAM to share her insights on #bizav salaries and #workforce challenges. Sheryl's Key Points: 💰  #Compensation adjustments are critical to retain and attract flight crews. 💼 Internal compensation #equity issues are emerging as flight crew salaries climb. 📈 Jobs are being recalibrated to justify salary increases. 💲 Discerning aircraft owners are willing to pay top dollar for experienced crews. 🔧 Maintenance salaries are rising due to a shortage of A&Ps and high retirement rates. 🔧 Maintenance roles now involve strategic planning as aircraft technology becomes more sophisticated. 🛫 Business aviation flight departments are staffing more to accommodate frequent flying and ensure work-life balance. 💰 Bonuses, restricted stock, retention bonuses, work-life balance, and general working conditions are key to mitigating personnel churn and attracting talent. 🔍 Flight departments are hiring tactically and strategically to meet corporate standards. 👉 Don't miss this comprehensive resource! https://lnkd.in/gKgXJDK5 #AviationNews #BusinessAviation #AviationSalaries #FlightOps #AviationCareers #OperationsGuide2024 #BCA

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As the era of low-cost travel faces new pressures, the industry is adapting to higher costs and shifting consumer expectations. At World Travel Market (WTM) London, Sabre Corporation’s Sarah Sheppard (Ponti) highlighted how airlines are responding by diversifying their offerings and adding value beyond base fares. This approach not only reflects a move toward personalization but also addresses the growing demand for sustainable travel options—although it adds layers of complexity for providers navigating this change. The "Is This the End of the Low-Cost Travel Era?" panel was moderated by award-winning writer Mark Frary. Panelists included Dimitris Hiotis, Senior Partner at Simon-Kucher, and Richard Johnson, Global VP for Solutions Group at CWT. Each expert explored how rising travel costs may reshape the industry, affecting airlines, hotels, and other travel suppliers, and examined the balance between flexibility and value. #WTMLondon2024 #Sabre #TravelTrends #FlexibilityInTravel #EndOfLowCostTravel #FutureOfTravel #TogetherWeMakeTravelHappen

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#Webinar Alert ➡️ Uncover the transformative power of #NDC and how it's reshaping distribution and retailing for #airlines of all sizes. Discover how Accelya simplifies the transformation, making the shift from #EDIFACT to NDC accessible to all. Take advantage of this chance to uncover invaluable insights from Accelya experts Barbara Moreno, Jonathan Newman, and Oliver Gover. Say goodbye to old constraints and hello to a new era of innovation, revenue growth, and customer satisfaction. Register today: https://ow.ly/Mcub30sBHYs

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Datalex, a "market leader in airline retail technology", has announced a €25m fundraising and introduced its Offer & Order Management Systems (OMS) earlier this week - following other "market leaders" such as Amadeus, Sabre and FLYR. I've read their PR with curiosity: 👉 "Modern Airline Retail standards including IATA’s Retailing with Offers and Delivering with Orders capabilities (Previously NDC, ONE Order, Dynamic Offers and Interline with Offers and Orders)" => While the original intent was "modernization of airline distribution", I thought that breaking down the program in "small projects", like NDC for distribution, would make the adoption faster and easier 😭 👉 "It is also ready for the move to a legacy free and PSS independent Offers & Orders world" => Should it simply say that the future is legacy free and PSS free, not only PSS independent... 🤔 👉 "Optimise disruptions with enhanced servicing functionalities when disruptions occur" => Managing disruption on the day of travel, especially mass disruption when multiple flights are cancelled, is a major pain point for airlines and a great use case for Order Management... I can't wait to see the solutions ☺️   This announcement is timely as Virgin Australia has just chosen Sabre Mosaic as their future OMS.   The fundraising announcement also caught my attention: 👉 The latest company's market cap, as of 25 Sep 2024, is about €53m. The latest financial results show a negative profit margin of 30% on a revenue of less than €30m, with negative free cash flow and total cash of about €3.5m. 👉 Assuming that part of the €25m fundraising is used to repay some debt, how much is left to invest in the OMS and build it to scale?   While I welcome a new OMS in the market - the opportunity is huge as airlines transition their PSS to OMS - I will keep an eye on the company's financial situation, see stock price chart below 👇 , which has already rebounded a couple of times (2008, 2019). #airlineNDC #traveltech #OMS  

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Dog and cat Air Transportation? silly, but it is a big business today. ----- Most people wouldn’t dream of leaving a family member behind during a move – and that includes four-legged family. Valued over $1bn, the pet travel services market has never been stronger, and an important driver of innovation in this space is specialized pet relocation companies. Moving pets across the country or around the world means navigating a web of rules, flight restrictions, and costs. Figuring out the best option for your family (and budget) requires accurate, real-time flight information that can take hours, if not days to pull together. Fortunately, pet relocation companies have the expertise to oversee every step of a pet's travel journey, and real-time data is the central tool for their success. Pet Transport: A Booming Market It’s easy to understand the growing demand for pet relocation services: pets are simply our family. A majority of U.S. households now own a pet, and increasing ownership has shaped a new awareness of pet well-being and safety. Pet owners don’t just want their pets to come with them: they’re willing to invest significantly in ensuring their pets' safety and comfort while on the move. This has skyrocketed demand for businesses involved in pet transportation services, which specialize in transporting animals across cities, countries, and even continents Without the right data, missteps like delays, improper paperwork, and added costs are easy to make. Precision in planning and execution is crucial. Pet relocation professionals can provide a smooth move every time by combining personalized service with real-time insight into travel routes, schedules, and regulations. The Pet Relocation Maze: Rules, Costs, and Safety Pet relocation companies operate in a highly regulated environment. From IATA's country-specific requirements to the USDA's Animal Welfare Act, laws must be meticulously followed to ensure the safety and well-being of animals during transit. Within different airlines, rules vary from one carrier to another due to constraints such as: Limited by cabin space. Temperature regulations. Protocols for transporting pets in cargo. Failing to anticipate any of these requirements puts pets at risk of being hurt in transport, stranded somewhere overnight, or turned away from a flight altogether.  Adding to the complexity is that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach. The pet’s origin, final destination, even size, and carrier needs are unique to each relocation. All these factors impact price – and relocating pets is already a costly process. IAG Cargo, the cargo-handling arm of multiple airlines, recently announced it would be raising prices, putting the cost for transferring pets to around $15,000 in some instances. The high cost and complexity of pet relocation services put pressure on professionals to provide not just a safe experience, but accurate pricing upfront. Read one:

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Today is the high point of the annual ancillary revenue calendar. Why? The 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 CarTrawler 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 is now available. The Yearbook describes ancillary revenue activities and results for 68 airlines in 2023, revealing divergences in trends and providing an assessment of the industry as a whole. Key findings include: • 𝐋𝐂𝐂𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝-𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Spirit Airlines achieved ancillary revenue of 56.4% of total revenue, which is a global record. Ancillary revenue for Jet2.com was $95.83 per passenger, which represents another global record. • 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬: For 2023 the top 10 airline companies generated $54.1 billion, which is far in excess of the $38.4 billion result for the top 10 companies for the pre-pandemic year of 2019.  • 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝: Total ancillary revenue was up for the category, but declined on a per passenger basis. Other revenue, which includes passenger fares, declined by a larger amount, which hints at competitive troubles. • 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐝: Total loyalty revenue for the top 10 programs was $32.2 billion, which was 18.6 % higher than 2022. • 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝: United reported $9.5 billion in ancillary revenue, a record 20.9% increase from 2022, although its per passenger increase was a modest 6.2%, with loyalty revenue representing 58% of total ancillary revenue. Click here to immediately access the 109-page report free of charge: https://lnkd.in/eY6BqxC #ancillaryrevenue #airlinedata

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I am passionate about this topic! The ability to create an interconnected world makes this industry great! Interoperability is a cornerstone principal that has allowed the industry to evolve while maintaining this global connectivity.

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On October 7, 2024, Southwest Airlines experienced a significant booking outage that left many passengers frustrated and stranded. This incident is the latest in a series of technical issues that have plagued the airline in recent years. The outage began early in the morning, affecting both the airline's website and mobile app. Passengers were unable to book new flights, check in for existing flights, or access their boarding passes. The issue persisted for several hours, causing widespread disruption and leading to long lines at airport check-in counters as passengers sought assistance from airline staff. According to reports, the outage was caused by a failure in the airline's reservation system. This system is crucial for managing bookings, flight schedules, and customer information. The failure not only impacted passengers trying to book flights but also those attempting to modify or cancel existing reservations. #Airport #Airline #USA #SouthwestAirlines #AviationIndustry #AviationOasis https://lnkd.in/er97P4Ni

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