Airlines are moving lower-cost fare options out of traditional Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) and onto New Distribution Capability (NDC) platforms or their own websites, travel agents say — a change that is complicating price comparisons and adding work for agencies trying to find the best deals for clients.
What changed
German carrier Lufthansa recently removed its NC fare brand from GDS channels for tickets sold from all Points of Sale with a Point of Commencement in Namibia, making those fares available only through NDC solutions and the Lufthansa Group’s websites, according to industry reporting. Travel agents interviewed in the source reporting describe this as part of a broader trend rather than an isolated move.
“I don’t believe Lufthansa’s decision is an isolated case. It’s consistent with the global trend of airlines shifting towards NDC to reduce distribution costs, gain greater control over their product and offer more personalised content.”
The comment above was attributed to Desire De Waal, founder of Desire Travel, who said the airline’s action aligns with wider distribution changes.
Agents and the consumer impact
Agents say the shift has practical consequences for everyday workflows. When the cheapest booking classes are removed from the GDS, those fares may only be visible via NDC-enabled tools or direct airline platforms. As a result, GDS-only searches can return higher quotes, slower comparisons and difficult explanations to travellers who have seen lower prices elsewhere.
Yumna Kharodia from Sweet Life Travel noted that “other airlines have been doing it for some time as well,” adding that carriers are trying to encourage agents to use NDC and to move away from GDSs. Sharika Maniram-Daintree, Sales and Marketing Manager at XL Sandown Travel, said GDSs still remain central to agencies but no longer always show the full range of airline content.
- More work for agents: Agents must check multiple channels — GDS, NDC platforms and airline websites — to confirm the best available fare.
- Price discrepancies: Customers comparing online prices with agent quotes may find differences caused by fares hidden from GDS displays.
- Unclear causes: Some fare gaps may be deliberate distribution choices; others could be display or system errors, making it hard to tell whether content is truly unavailable.
How distribution channels differ
In simple terms, travel industry professionals describe three main channels where airline content can appear:
| Channel | Typical access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GDS (traditional) | Most travel agencies via reservation systems | Often central to agency workflows but may not show all fare brands |
| NDC | NDC-enabled agents and platforms | Allows richer content and personalised offers but requires updated tools |
| Airline direct | Airline websites and apps | May carry exclusive fares or special offers not in other channels |
Agents warned that the change can be subtle. Maniram-Daintree said selected fare brands are sometimes limited in traditional GDS channels while remaining available through NDC or direct platforms, and this may appear as a display issue rather than an intentional restriction.
What this means for travellers booking in South Africa
For South African travellers who rely on agents to find competitive fares, the shift means agents may need to spend more time searching multiple systems to locate the lowest fares, or risk quoting higher prices if they rely solely on GDSs. Agencies that have invested in NDC-enabled tools or direct access to airline content are better placed to show the full price spectrum.
Industry comments in the reporting highlight a transitional phase: airlines aim to lower distribution costs and control product presentation, while agents must adapt to fractured content streams to protect consumer value and transparency.
For now, travellers should expect potential price differences between agent quotes and online fares, and consider asking agencies whether they search across NDC and airline-direct channels when seeking the best deal.
