Lufthansa Group and TPConnects have announced a multi-year extension of their New Distribution Capability (NDC) partnership, a collaboration that dates back to 2016. The renewed agreement commits both parties to continued investment in distribution technology and retailing innovation through 2030 and beyond, with a focus on accelerating growth in key global markets.
TPConnects has been a central pillar of Lufthansa Group's NDC distribution strategy since the partnership began. Over the past decade, the Dublin-based travel technology provider has significantly expanded its network of agency partners, extending the reach of Lufthansa Group's NDC content across international markets. The company's recent achievement of Lufthansa Group NDC 24.1 Hybrid certification allows travel agencies to access the latest retailing and servicing workflows across all Lufthansa Group airlines, including Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines.
Certification unlocks modern retailing capabilities
The NDC 24.1 Hybrid certification is a key milestone in the evolution of airline distribution. It enables TPConnects-connected agencies to offer a more seamless booking and servicing experience, combining traditional and NDC content within a single workflow. This hybrid approach is particularly valuable for corporate travel programs, where efficiency and flexibility are paramount.
Heinrich Lange, Vice President Digital Retailing & Order Management at Lufthansa Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: “Our partnership with TPConnects has been instrumental in our NDC journey since 2016. Over this decade, we’ve built a true strategic partnership based on shared vision and mutual commitment.”
Stephanos Kykkotis, Director of Product at TPConnects, added: “Achieving NDC 24.1 hybrid certification is a significant milestone that enables our agency partners to access the full range of Lufthansa Group’s modern retailing and servicing capabilities.”
Corporate travel focus drives innovation
The extended partnership is designed to meet the sophisticated needs of corporate travellers. TPConnects' extensive corporate customer base has driven the development of industry-leading servicing capabilities, including automated rebooking, real-time ancillaries, and enhanced post-booking management. These tools are critical for travel management companies and corporate agencies that require robust NDC support.
For travel professionals, the deepened alliance signals a continued shift toward modern retailing in the airline distribution landscape. As Lufthansa Group pushes forward with its NDC strategy, agencies that connect through TPConnects gain a competitive edge in delivering personalized offers and seamless servicing.
The partnership also positions both companies to respond rapidly to market dynamics and evolving customer needs. With a shared commitment to leading the industry's retailing transformation, Lufthansa Group and TPConnects are set to shape the next decade of airline distribution.
For more on how airlines are evolving their distribution strategies, see Emirates' recent flexibility moves and Agoda's tech-driven tourism partnership.
