Qantas has rolled out its New Distribution Capability (NDC) platform which provides partners’ clients immediate and first-mover access to the airline’s Premium NDC content.
CT Connections, Corporate Travel Management (CTM) and CTM’s 1000 Mile Travel Group (1000MTG) have become Qantas NDC ‘invite only’ Premium Partners in Australia. Their clients can now benefit from deeper discounts, bundled seat offers, status perks and companion fares.
Premium NDC provides average savings of about 8 per cent on Qantas domestic fares on top of clients’ existing airline corporate deals.
Clients can get tailored fare options and improved visibility on Qantas Points and Status Credits, discounted fares and tailored offers for Qantas Business Reward members and enhanced disruption management.
It also enables clients to avoid the legacy EDIFACT surcharges of $11.50 per sector, by purchasing the Premium NDC content.
| Distribution Type | Airfare | Surcharges | Total Cost | Savings from CT Connections Premium NDC |
| Qantas EDIFACT | $424 | $23 | $447 | $69 or 18 per cent more |
| Qantas Standard NDC | $408 | $9 | $417 | $39 or 10 per cent more |
| CT Connections’ Qantas Premium NDC | $378 | $0 | $378 | – |
“While other providers may offer standard NDC access, CT Connections is ready to deliver the full experience through the Qantas Premium NDC channel, ensuring our clients benefit from every innovation as it rolls out,” Connections Travel Group chief commercial officer, Andre Moten, said.
“It’s clear from the conversations happening across the market that some providers are delaying adoption client-side, highlighting worst-case scenarios instead of real-world performance. But NDC isn’t theoretical. It’s already in play across the industry, and Qantas is simply the next major carrier to make the leap.
“While others stagger their rollouts, we’ve invested, trained, and gone live. We know our clients value continuity, speed, and clarity and our approach delivers all three. At Connections Travel Group, we’re not navigating uncertainty. We’re offering certainty in a changed environment.”
CT Connections is a leader in the space and was the first Australian TMC to successfully book Qantas NDC content using Zeno by Serko.
Moten said being at the forefront of technological change was one of the reasons Connections Travel Group, had become the largest privately owned travel company in Australia.
CTM was an early adopter of NDC when IATA first introduced the technology in 2019 and has been working closely with participating airline partners to deliver NDC content, while leveraging learnings from the past five years to drive greater value for CTM customers.
“This integration with Qantas is a clear demonstration of CTM’s ability to execute at speed and scale, delivering meaningful commercial value to our customers and strengthening our position in a rapidly evolving market,” CTM’s Chief Partnership Officer Global Air & GDS, John Balloch, said. “By owning our technology, we’re not just keeping pace, we’re setting the standard for what modern corporate travel should look like.”
For 1000MTG, this move marks a meaningful shift in how air content and servicing are delivered to independent advisors and their clients.
“As the travel industry continues to evolve rapidly, staying ahead requires access to the latest tools, products, and opportunities,” 1000MTG CEO Nicola Veltman said. “Travel advisors, especially those operating independently, are under growing pressure to deliver more value in less time. The partnership with Qantas gives our advisors a competitive edge. It’s not just about access, it’s about making adoption easy and impactful through training, updated workflows, and on-demand support.”
“Our advisors want the right tools and the best fares for their clients,” 1000MTG general manager – Australia, Lauren Gray, said. “Being a Qantas NDC Premium partner gives them access to richer fare and ancillary content, exclusive offers, smarter servicing workflows from booking through to invoicing and reporting, and access to lower fees, allowing them to deliver better client and business outcome.”
For both independent travel advisors and the clients they support, this move signals a welcome evolution: airline content that’s more transparent, more efficient, and delivering greater choice.
