Azerbaijan Airlines Taps Accelya to Accelerate Global NDC Retailing

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has signed a multi-year agreement with technology provider Accelya to modernize its digital retail strategy.

The national carrier will deploy Accelya’s FLX Select platform to transform its fare and ancillary service distribution. This move focuses specifically on indirect sales channels. These channels include online travel agencies and global booking platforms. The goal is to improve the passenger booking experience.

Modernizing Airline Distribution

The core of the agreement is the introduction of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard. NDC is an IATA-backed XML standard. It allows airlines to sell a wider range of products directly to third-party sellers. This bypasses the limitations of traditional distribution systems (GDS).

FLX Select will provide AZAL with direct connectivity to global travel sellers and aggregators. This reduces the airline’s reliance on complex, legacy technical integrations. The platform is designed for fast and standardized NDC deployment. This allows the airline to quickly launch new products and fares.

Key Benefits for AZAL and Partners

• Improved Offer Transparency: The platform ensures consistent content across all partner networks.
• Faster Time-to-Market: It accelerates the launch of new fares and ancillary products.
• Enhanced Passenger Relevance: Offers are expected to be more relevant and personalized for travelers.
• Distribution Efficiency: Travel partners will benefit from improved efficiency and streamlined processes.

Accelya’s solution is built on its FLX ONE platform, which is powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). This cloud-based architecture delivers scalable and secure solutions for modern airline retailing.

Accelya is a major player in the NDC space. Industry research firm T2RL reports that the company supports over half of global NDC transactions. This highlights Accelya’s leading role in airline digital transformation.

Broader Aviation Strategy

AZAL’s adoption of modern distribution technology aligns with Azerbaijan’s broader strategy to modernize its aviation sector. The country is working to strengthen its position as a regional transportation hub between Europe and Asia.

This push includes significant investments across the sector. For instance, Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC (AZAL) has a strategic development plan spanning from 2023 to 2030. This plan focuses on fleet renewal, route network expansion, and operational efficiency. AZAL has also been renewing its fleet with modern aircraft like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Furthermore, the country is upgrading its air traffic management. AZAL’s Azeraeronavigation (AZANS) is working with IATA on a National Airspace Strategy. This comprehensive modernization drive aims to enhance safety, reduce CO2 emissions, and meet growing passenger demand. The new retail platform is a key step in enhancing the passenger experience, a critical part of this national strategy.

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