As part of the agreement, Qatar Airways provides trade partners with access to a modern agent portal powered by Astra, TPConnects’ next-generation airline retailing platform, which leverages IATA’s NDC standards.

Enhancing customer experience in airline retailing

Astra revolutionises airline retailing by enriching the customer experience, from shopping through to servicing, while providing additional revenue generating opportunities from additional flight and ancillary related offers. The platform’s modular design enables airlines greater choice and flexibility when building their NDC and modern retailing programmes.

Through its Trade Portal, Qatar Airways provides trade partners access to its NDC offers. This web-based tool allows travel sellers to seamlessly shop, sell, upsell, and service flights. The Portal facilitates the ability to add extras and bundles through an intuitive interface that features rich media such as images and videos of aircraft types, its cabins and interactive seat maps. The enhanced booking management functionality also facilitates smoother handling at times of disruption.

Oryx Portal powered by TPConnects has been rolled out from May 2024 across various Qatar Airways markets.

Officials from TPConnects said travel seller adoption of airlines’ NDC channels is a critical component of a modern retailing strategy. Trade partner support demands agent-centric sales and servicing with differentiated content. At TPConnects, they are committed to delivering intuitive agent experiences to leverage the NDC opportunity for their valued airline partners, such as their new customer, Qatar Airways.