As Qantas rolls out its New Distribution Capability (NDC) platform today, 1st July, Australia's largest privately owned travel management and event company CT Connections has advised its clients that they may now enjoy immediate and first-mover access to the airline’s Premium NDC content.
CT Connections’ clients will benefit from deeper discounts, bundled seat offers, status perks and companion fares from today, thanks to the business being the very first to access Qantas’ Premium NDC content from day one.
At the same time, Premium NDC provides average savings of about 8 percent on Qantas domestic fares on top of clients’ existing airline corporate deals.
CT Connections clients can also get tailored fare options and improved visibility on Qantas Points and Status Credits, discounted fares and tailored offers for Qantas Business Reward members and enhanced disruption management.
This new development also enables clients to avoid the legacy EDIFACT surcharges of $11.50 per sector, by purchasing the Premium NDC content.
Benefits from day one onwards
According to Connections Travel Group’s chief commercial officer Andre Moten: “While other providers may offer standard NDC access, CT Connections is ready to deliver the full experience through the Qantas Premium NDC channel, ensuring our clients benefit from every innovation as it rolls out.”
Moten added that it is clear from the conversations happening across the market that some providers are delaying adoption client-side, highlighting worst-case scenarios instead of real-world performance.
As he puts it: “NDC isn’t theoretical. It’s already in play across the industry, and Qantas is simply the next major carrier to make the leap. While others stagger their rollouts, we’ve invested, trained, and gone live. We know our clients value continuity, speed, and clarity and our approach delivers all three. At Connections Travel Group, we’re not navigating uncertainty. We’re offering certainty in a changed environment.”
CT Connections is a leader in the space and was the first Australian TMC to successfully book Qantas NDC content using Zeno by Serko.
Moten added that being at the forefront of technological change was one of the reasons Connections Travel Group is now the largest privately owned travel company in Australia.
The embrace of Qantas NDC comes as Connections Travel Group celebrates its 25th anniversary with its success driven by an operating philosophy framed around the African principle of Ubuntu meaning “I am because of you’’.
Moten explained that part of that philosophy was an ability to lead change, not just react to it.
He said: “At Connections Travel Group we pride ourselves on being a future-focused business and we are proud that CT Connections continues to lead that charge in the corporate travel space through its embrace of Qantas NDC. While others are still adjusting to these industry wide changes, CT Connections is ready. Our team is trained, our technology is in place and our clients can move forward confidently, knowing their travel program will be fulfilled with the best value-for-money options available, including the fullest selection from Qantas’ airfare inventory.’’
