Published on
September 15, 2025
TAP Air Portugal has officially expanded its global travel distribution by adopting New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology, now available to travel agencies connected to the Travelport+ platform. This side of the strategy new and more sophisticated methods of accessing and booking TAP fare ranges, routes, services, and ancillary products, efficiently and flexibly. With the NDC integration, TAP Air Portugal guarantees travel agencies the latest tailor-made travel options to simplify the booking process by providing real-time, seamless access to the system. This initiative, announced to the public for the first time last November, is the latest in the airline’s efforts to modernize distribution and extend the airline’s international presence.
TAP Air Portugal has officially expanded its distribution capabilities through the adoption of New Distribution Capability (NDC), making its comprehensive set of fares, routes, services, and ancillary products available to travel agencies connected to the Travelport+ platform. This move, which was first revealed last November, represents a significant step forward in enhancing how travel agencies can access and book services with the Portuguese airline.
The collaboration between TAP Air Portugal, a member of the prestigious STAR Alliance, and Travelport, a leading global provider of travel technology solutions, brings TAP’s NDC content to agency customers in 29 countries worldwide. These regions include Portugal, the United States, the United Kingdom, and a significant portion of the European Union, expanding the reach of TAP Air Portugal’s offerings to a broader audience.
For Travelport users, this integration opens up a wealth of options in terms of booking TAP Air Portugal services. From flights to additional services and extra offerings, agencies can now seamlessly access all the airline’s NDC fares through the Travelport+ platform. This move aims to simplify the booking process for travel agents while enhancing the overall customer experience. TAP’s involvement in NDC is a reflection of its commitment to modernizing the travel booking ecosystem, embracing cutting-edge technology to improve efficiency and flexibility for both agents and passengers.
Enhancing the Booking Experience for Agencies
The adoption of NDC technology by TAP Air Portugal allows travel agencies to access more than just standard flight data. Agencies can now view and book a broader range of TAP’s services, such as different classes, seat selections, meals, and other personalized offerings. This level of transparency and detail helps agencies provide more tailored and accurate recommendations to their clients, improving overall customer satisfaction.
By offering full visibility into TAP’s offerings, Travelport+ users can ensure their clients are getting the most up-to-date pricing and availability, alongside the best available choices. Whether a traveler is looking for a straightforward flight or seeking additional services like baggage, priority boarding, or access to TAP’s premium lounges, agencies can access these options with ease.
The travel agency community benefits from increased control over their bookings, making it easier to manage and streamline their operations. Travelport’s platform further simplifies the process by allowing agents to compare multiple options and customize bookings, ensuring that each client’s preferences are met while maximizing value for the traveler.
TAP Air Portugal’s NDC Implementation
NDC, an IATA-driven initiative, aims to modernize the travel industry by offering a more efficient way to distribute airline products and services. It replaces the traditional Global Distribution Systems (GDS) with a more direct and dynamic system that allows airlines to distribute their content in a richer and more personalized manner. With NDC, TAP Air Portugal can provide agencies with detailed fare options, promotions, and other relevant information that may not have been available through traditional channels.
TAP’s decision to implement NDC is part of the airline’s ongoing efforts to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving travel sector. As travel technology continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly important for airlines to offer flexible and transparent solutions that enable travel agents to serve their clients better.
For TAP, embracing NDC also means having the ability to better control its distribution network. By connecting directly with agents through Travelport+, the airline can ensure that its offerings are delivered more consistently, reducing reliance on intermediaries and opening up new opportunities for partnerships with global travel agencies.
Travelport’s Role in the Partnership
Travelport is one of the global leaders in travel technology, offering an extensive range of services that power bookings for travel suppliers across the globe. The company’s Travelport+ platform is designed to enhance the way travel agents interact with suppliers and streamline the booking process for a variety of travel services, including flights, accommodations, car rentals, and more.
Travelport’s platform connects agents with hundreds of thousands of travel suppliers, providing them with the tools they need to book travel efficiently and accurately. With TAP Air Portugal’s NDC content now integrated into Travelport+, agencies can access a wide range of services and products offered by TAP, ensuring they have access to the most current and relevant data.
Travelport’s integration with TAP Air Portugal also reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of NDC adoption in the travel industry. As more airlines embrace NDC technology, Travelport is positioning itself as a key player in enabling the digital transformation of travel booking. The collaboration also speaks to Travelport’s broader strategy of fostering innovation within the travel sector, helping suppliers, agents, and travelers alike navigate the ever-evolving world of travel.
Global Availability and Benefits
The collaboration between TAP Air Portugal and Travelport will benefit agencies operating in 29 countries, including major markets such as Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, and much of the European Union. This extensive geographic reach ensures that TAP’s NDC content is available to a wide network of agents, helping the airline further solidify its presence in key markets.
For travel agencies, the NDC integration offers the advantage of accessing a more detailed and personalized inventory of TAP Air Portugal’s offerings. The platform’s flexibility allows agents to tailor bookings and offer their clients a better experience, whether they are planning business travel or leisure trips. Furthermore, the ability to view ancillary services in real-time gives agencies an edge in offering enhanced travel experiences to their clients.
From a business perspective, this NDC distribution model opens up new revenue streams for both TAP Air Portugal and travel agencies. Agencies can explore new opportunities to upsell and cross-sell additional services such as baggage, seat selection, and other perks, increasing overall profitability for both parties.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Travel Distribution
This partnership between TAP Air Portugal and Travelport is just the beginning of a new era in travel distribution. As NDC adoption continues to grow, more airlines and agencies will likely follow suit, ensuring that this technology becomes the standard in the industry. The greater access to real-time data, personalized services, and enhanced customer experiences will reshape how travel agencies interact with suppliers and travelers alike.
TAP Air Portugal has expanded its global travel distribution through NDC integration on Travelport+, enhancing travel agencies’ ability to access a wider range of fares, routes, and services. This move aims to improve booking efficiency and offer more personalized options for travelers.
TAP Air Portugal’s decision to integrate NDC technology with Travelport+ is a significant milestone that will improve booking capabilities and provide agencies with new opportunities to enhance their services. As the travel industry continues to evolve, this collaboration is a prime example of how airlines and technology providers are working together to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and create more personalized travel experiences for customers worldwide.
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