TORONTO — When it first launched earlier this summer, OpenNDC was billed as the first all-in-one travel commerce platform bridging airlines, sellers and tech providers with seamless NDC connectivity.
Thava Tharmalingam, Founder & CEO, OpenNDC
In the company’s words, OpenNDC replaces fragmented legacy systems, delivering real-time fares, dynamic offers, and direct airline content all through a single API, backed by global payment settlements, fraud protection, and 24/7 support.
When OpenNDC’s founder and CEO, Thava Tharmalingam told us OpenNDC is geared to TMCs, corporate travellers, CUGs, resellers and tech providers, we had just one question: Is OpenNDC also useful for travel advisors who sell mostly leisure?
“OpenNDC is absolutely accessible and valuable for leisure-focused travel advisors. While we do work closely with TMCs, CUGs, and tech providers, we also offer a wide range of products that directly support leisure travel: flights, hotels, flight + hotel packages, car rentals, airport transfers, tours, activities and even insurance,” says a company spokesperson.
“Advisors who specialize in leisure can definitely benefit from using OpenNDC — whether they’re working independently or as part of a host agency or consortium. They can sign up for a free trial and explore the platform even if they are part of a host agency or larger consortia.”
Travelweek’s interview with Tharmalingam follows …
Travelweek: For anyone who might not know, tell us about OpenNDC.
Tharmalingam: “Built for airlines and direct travel suppliers to distribute directly to TMCs, corporate travellers, closed user groups (CUGs), resellers, and technology providers, OpenNDC eliminates barriers and unlocks new opportunities to scale faster, connect smarter, and operate seamlessly without replacing their existing tools.
“While some groups have proprietary NDC solutions, our platform integrates with both consortium systems and airline NDC APIs – acting as a universal bridge. Through a single login on OpenNDC’s unified agent desktop, buyers can access content from 800+ airlines and over 3 million properties worldwide — all available through a single, ready-to-consume API.
Travelweek: What are OpenNDC’s selling points?
Tharmalingam: “Here are 10 key features that make it helpful for agents …
- Real-Time Aggregation: Search and book flights and hotels in milliseconds — with live pricing and availability
- Centralized Dashboard: Manage your bookings, inventory, and pricing strategies from one intuitive interface
- Intelligent Content Mapping: Our platform standardizes and enriches data for cleaner comparisons and faster decisions
- Complete Global Inventory: Access 800+ airlines (including NDC and LCC) and 3 million accommodations through one unified platform
- Real-Time Booking Engine: Search, compare, and confirm bookings in milliseconds – with dynamic pricing and live availability
- Built-in KYC & Compliance: Automated Know Your Customer (KYC) checks ensure secure onboarding and regulatory compliance, so you can focus on growing your business
- Multi-Currency Support: Transact confidently in any currency — with localized pricing and tax handling built-in
- Direct Supplier Connections: Eliminate unnecessary middle layers, lower distribution costs, and boost your margins with direct API links to airlines and hotels
- Customizable API & Dashboard: Flexible integration options and an intuitive dashboard let you tailor the platform to your workflow
- Scalable & Reliable Architecture: Enterprise-level infrastructure designed for speed, uptime, and data security – even at high volumes
- Analytics & Insights: Get full visibility into bookings, customer behaviour, and revenue performance with built-in analytics
Travelweek: What impact has NDC had on travel advisors?
Tharmalingam: “NDC has brought both opportunities and challenges for travel advisors.
“On the positive side, it’s opened up richer content, more personalized offers, and direct access to airline inventory — which means advisors can provide better value and transparency to their clients.
“But the rollout hasn’t been without friction. Many advisors have faced technical hurdles, inconsistent access across carriers and a lack of unified platforms to manage it all.
“Instead of simplifying workflows, NDC has sometimes added complexity — especially for those juggling multiple systems or booking tools.
“That’s exactly where OpenNDC comes in. We’re focused on removing the pain points and making NDC truly work for advisors — by giving them one powerful, streamlined platform to access content and book with ease.”
Travelweek: Is OpenNDC a Canadian company?
Tharmalingam: “Yes, OpenNDC is a Toronto-based Canadian company with a global mission to modernize travel distribution. Founded by myself, Thava Tharmalingam, CEO, Clarity Travel Technology Solutions, OpenNDC is backed by a team with deep expertise in airline distribution, GDS, and travel retail systems.
“Many of our team members are familiar faces within the industry — bringing decades of hands-on experience working with both airlines and agencies. Canada was a natural first launch market, given its forward-thinking travel community and appetite for innovation. OpenNDC was built to meet real-world challenges — helping advisors and sellers connect more efficiently with airline content through scalable, future-ready technology.”
Travelweek: How do agents sign up to use OpenNDC?
Tharmalingam: “Advisors can use the free Sign-Up Process on the website to gain access to …
- Free trial: To get into the live environment and use the search booking tool.
- No upfront fees: Zero transaction fee when using our content. And, only $2 per ticket when you use your own content after becoming an OpenNDC’s client.
- Onboarding: Demonstrations can be scheduled and training provided
Travelweek: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Tharmalingam: “At its core, OpenNDC is about making things easier for airlines and direct travel suppliers to distribute directly to TMCs, corporate travellers, closed user groups (CUGs), resellers, and technology providers by giving the freedom to focus on what they do best: selling and servicing, not struggling with fragmented systems.
“It’s the first truly end-to-end solution designed to simplify access to airline content through NDC, while creating real value for everyone involved — airlines, sellers, and tech partners alike.
“OpenNDC is transforming how the travel industry connects, transacts, and grows. We’ve built a platform that makes NDC access simple, scalable, and genuinely profitable — laying the groundwork for a smarter, more connected ecosystem where everyone can thrive.”
More details can be found at OpenNDC.com.
