Oman Air and Travelport Renew Partnership: Implications for the Future of Travel and Tourism Investment in Oman
Oman Air Expands Partnership with Travelport to Enhance NDC Distribution
Oman Air has reinforced its long-standing partnership with Travelport, a leading multi-source content provider for travel bookings worldwide, by incorporating New Distribution Capability (NDC) into their collaboration.
This agreement signifies a significant advancement, as Travelport becomes the first modern travel retailer to secure an NDC distribution agreement with Oman Air. This move underscores the airline’s dedication to adhering to modern retailing standards and its confidence in Travelport’s established NDC expertise.
The renewed partnership builds on a collaboration that began in 1993, while preserving Oman Air’s existing EDIFACT distribution. It will also introduce a full suite of NDC content capabilities via Travelport’s advanced retailing platform, Travelport+.
With this NDC integration, Travelport-connected travel agencies will have access to Oman Air’s entire portfolio of contemporary retail offerings, which include dynamic pricing, enriched content, and a wide array of ancillary services.
This multi-source strategy allows agencies to obtain Oman Air’s content through their preferred channels, benefiting from enhanced merchandising and personalization options facilitated by NDC. This development aligns with the airline’s transformation strategy and sustainable growth objectives.
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 our commitment to advancing modern airline retailing. NDC technology allows us to provide travel agencies and their clients with a richer, more personalized booking experience, complete with access to our full product range and dynamic pricing capabilities.”
He added, “This enhanced distribution strategy is crucial for supporting the Sultanate of Oman’s ambitious tourism development plans, enabling us to compete effectively in global markets with the advanced retail tools that today’s travelers demand.”
Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport, expressed, “We are honored to extend our 30-year partnership with Oman Air and to be the first modern travel retailer selected to empower their NDC distribution. This agreement reflects Oman Air’s trust in Travelport’s proven NDC capabilities and our history of delivering airline content through modern retail channels. By integrating NDC alongside their traditional EDIFACT distribution via Travelport+, we are equipping Oman Air to offer travel agencies the full spectrum of modern retailing benefits: rich content, dynamic offers, and comprehensive ancillary merchandising, all while ensuring business continuity.”
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman Air’s enhanced partnership with Travelport through the integration of New Distribution Capability (NDC) represents a pivotal move towards modern airline retailing, positioning the airline to better compete in the global market. This shift opens up opportunities for businesses to access dynamic pricing and personalized offerings, enhancing customer experiences and potentially increasing demand in Oman’s tourism sector. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should consider leveraging this transformation by exploring strategic collaborations in travel technology and marketing to capture emerging market trends while aligning with the Sultanate’s tourism ambitions.
