Singapore Airlines and Amadeus have renewed their multiyear agreements to strengthen their partnership in airline distribution and retailing, with particular emphasis on expanding the capabilities of the New Distribution Capability (NDC). This move aims to provide travel sellers and consumers with more seamless and personalized booking experiences across global markets.
The renewal ensures uninterrupted access to Singapore Airlines’ full fare and product offerings via the Amadeus Travel Platform, supporting the airline’s indirect sales channels and growth strategies. Both companies will focus on increasing NDC adoption to create a more modern retailing environment that benefits agencies and travelers alike, with plans to introduce more NDC functionalities over time.
Additionally, the companies are working on facilitating the acceptance of UnionPay cards for both direct e-commerce bookings and indirect sales through the Amadeus platform. Given the rapid growth of Chinese outbound travel and the popularity of UnionPay internationally, this partnership will enable travelers to make cross-border payments more easily and securely. Airlines using Outpayce’s Xchange Payments Platform will be able to process UnionPay card transactions natively, increasing acceptance rates and improving cash flow.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance payment experiences and expand revenue streams for airlines serving the Asia Pacific region. Native acceptance of UnionPay cards is expected to be operational in H1 2026, with gradual rollout across various markets, potentially transforming how airlines support cross-border payments in the future.
