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Airline first in Canada to achieve level 2
CALGARY, May 1, 2017 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced it has become the first Canadian airline to receive the International Air Transport Association (IATA) New Distribution Capability (NDC) level 2 certification, confirming WestJet's ability to send and receive NDC messages. NDC is a program designed to enhance the capability of communications between airlines and travel agents.
"The benefits of IATA's NDC are robust and clear for both the travel trade industry and the consumer," said Lyell Farquharson, WestJet Vice-President Sales and Distribution. "As WestJet continues to unbundle our products and add ancillary options, these new capabilities allow us to integrate and collaborate more effectively with travel industry partners around the world to benefit our guests. The investment in NDC is one of many investments we have made in the last year to support our market leading capabilities and growth in the business traveller segment. We know this new capability will make it easier to obtain WestJet's content, enhance the product offering to guests and provide a seamless experience starting with the booking process."
"We welcome the initiative that WestJet has taken to become NDC certified by implementing Level 2 Certification and we hope other carriers in the region will follow their lead. NDC is modernizing the way that airline products are presented through travel intermediaries, providing travel customers with richer content and increased transparency," adds Yanik Hoyles, IATA's Director, NDC Program.
NDC paves the way for travel agents and travel management companies to add value to their customers by being able to access all relevant aspects of the WestJet experience from cabin details and baggage allowance to upgrade options, as well as book flights and ancillaries such as meals and selecting seats from WestJet.
About IATA
IATA provides the only official industry certification program in support of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard, the NDC Certification Program. On 22/03/2017, WestJet Airlines was granted "NDC Certification" Level 2 status, under the NDC Certification Program. This status recognizes that WestJet Airlines uses Offer management messages whose schemas are compliant with the standard NDC message schema, version PADIS 15.2. For more information about the scope of the NDC Certification Program and the different types of NDC messages, please see: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/airline-distribution/ndc/Documents/guide-ndc-registration-certification-program.pdf
About WestJet
We are proud to be Canada's most trusted airline, powered by an award-winning culture of care and recognized as one of the country's top employers. WestJet, and our regional airline, WestJet Encore, offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe. Through our partnerships with airlines representing every major region of the world, we offer our guests more than 150 destinations in more than 20 countries. Leveraging WestJet's extensive network, flight schedule and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations delivers affordable, flexible travel experiences with a variety of accommodation options for every guest. Members of our WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Our members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of WestJet flights and vacations packages on any day, at any time, to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods ̶ even on seat sales. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)
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SOURCE WestJet
