Accelya will now enable American Airlines to make unused EDIFACT tickets exchangeable through NDC-based connections. The initiative responds to a commonly reported challenge from TMCs, many of which are still dependent on GDS that use the legacy EDIFACT messaging standard for information exchange. The new functionality can be implemented for any other NDC-enabled carrier, as long as they are able to provide access to GDS-issued legacy tickets from their host system.
IATA has appointed its first ever female Chair of the IATA Board of Governors. Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, will hold the position for one year. The former Chair, Mehmet T. Nane will remain a member of the Executive Committee for one more year. During his term, Nane worked towards IATA’s goals of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, increasing women’s representation in the industry, and advancing the industry further.
Joyned has announced a commercial partnership with RIU Hotels. The hotel chain’s current offering will be further enhanced by Joyned’s booking functionality, which enables online users to invite friends or family to the RIU Hotel website, and collaborate in a private, on-site platform to discuss and book their group trip. RIU Hotels has now embarked on a full roll-out, bringing Joyned’s engagement tools to customers across the US.
KOP Group has purchased the 105-key Burns Hotel in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in London. Overlooking Barkston Gardens, the newly-acquired hotel comprises five interconnected townhouses, a large reception, bar, restaurant facilities and a private garden. It offers easy access to Holland Park and Kensington Gardens plus the Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum and Royal Albert Hall. It will open in the first quarter of 2024.
Icelandair and Turkish Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement. With this agreement, the two airlines will provide connections to customers and expand the number of destinations on both carriers’ networks. Icelandair passengers in North America and Iceland can connect eastbound via Turkish Airlines’ network to Istanbul; and Turkish Airlines worldwide passengers such as Asia or the Middle East will be able to connect westbound via Icelandair’s network to Iceland and Canada.
Air France-KLM Group has signed to become the first airline partner to add the Amadeus Cytric portfolio to its offering for corporate customers. The new deal features Cytric Travel, Cytric Expense, Cytric Easy and Cytric Care. The deal will mean Air France-KLM will use Amadeus technology for its online corporate solution named ‘BlueConnect’, giving access to more dynamic and personalised booking options for its direct corporate customers.
