Oman Air and Travelport Renew Multi-Year Partnership: What This Means for Aviation and Travel Businesses in Oman
Oman Air has significantly enhanced its long-standing partnership with Travelport, a global multi-source content provider, by incorporating New Distribution Capability (NDC) content distribution into their agreement. This development represents a major milestone, as Travelport becomes the first modern travel retailer to secure an NDC distribution deal with Oman Air, underscoring the airline’s dedication to contemporary retailing standards and its confidence in Travelport’s established NDC expertise.
Building on a collaboration that dates back to 1993, the renewed agreement maintains Oman Air’s existing EDIFACT distribution while introducing comprehensive NDC content via Travelport’s advanced retailing platform, Travelport+. With NDC integration, travel agencies connected through Travelport will have access to Oman Air’s full portfolio of modern offerings, including dynamic pricing, enriched content, and a wide range of ancillary services.
This multi-source distribution approach allows agencies to access Oman Air’s content through their preferred channels, benefiting from enhanced merchandising and personalized capabilities that NDC provides. These advancements support the airline’s transformation strategy and sustainable growth goals.
Oliver Von Rabenau, Vice President of Revenue Management & Distribution at Oman Air, stated, “Adding NDC distribution through our longstanding partnership with Travelport marks a crucial step in our digital transformation and commitment to modernizing airline retailing. NDC technology enables travel agencies and their customers to enjoy a richer, more personalized booking experience with access to our complete product range and dynamic pricing options. This improved distribution approach directly supports the Sultanate of Oman’s ambitious tourism development plans, ensuring we remain competitive in global markets with the sophisticated retail tools today’s travelers expect.”
Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport, said, “We are honored to extend our 30-year partnership with Oman Air and to be the first modern travel retailer selected to drive their NDC distribution. This agreement reflects Oman Air’s trust in Travelport’s proven NDC capabilities and our successful delivery of airline content through modern retail channels. By integrating NDC alongside their traditional EDIFACT distribution via Travelport+, Oman Air can offer travel agencies the full benefits of modern retailing: rich content, dynamic offers, and comprehensive ancillary merchandising, all while ensuring seamless business continuity.”
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman Air’s integration of New Distribution Capability (NDC) via Travelport marks a strategic leap in digital transformation and modern retailing for the aviation sector in Oman. This shift offers businesses and travel agencies enhanced access to dynamic pricing and personalized services, creating new opportunities for competitive differentiation in the global travel market. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider leveraging this trend by investing in tech-driven travel solutions and ancillary service innovations that align with Oman’s growing tourism ambitions.
