AirGateway Company Profile

Background

AirGateway GmbH, established in April 2016 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is a B2B airline distribution company specializing in connecting airlines with corporate, leisure, offline, and online travel agents. The company's mission is to revolutionize airline distribution by providing direct access to airline content through the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard, thereby enhancing the retailing channels of airlines and travel agents. AirGateway's vision is to lead the transformation of the travel industry by offering rich content, dynamic pricing, and ancillary services, moving beyond traditional distribution methods.

Key Strategic Focus

AirGateway's strategic focus centers on aggregating NDC content to facilitate seamless connections between airlines and travel agencies. The company specializes in providing API solutions and web-based booking tools that enable travel agents to access a wide range of airline products and services. By leveraging state-of-the-art technology, AirGateway aims to enhance the retailing capabilities of its partners, offering personalized fares and a broader range of airline products. The primary markets targeted include corporate and leisure travel agencies seeking efficient and direct access to airline content.

Financials and Funding

In November 2018, AirGateway secured seed funding from High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), Germany's largest seed investor specializing in early-stage deep tech investments. This investment was aimed at advancing AirGateway's product portfolio and operations, enabling the company to provide better products and build on its advanced core technology.

Pipeline Development

AirGateway has been actively expanding its airline partnerships and technological integrations. Notable developments include:

Airline Integrations: The company has added NDC content from major airlines such as British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa Group, American Airlines, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and others, enhancing the breadth of its offerings.

Product Launches: In March 2019, AirGateway launched BookingPad, an agent desktop solution that allows travel agents to access all NDC content and features from enabled airlines within the aggregation platform.

Partnerships: The company has established partnerships with various travel management companies and technology providers, including Fello Travel Ltd., Scott Dunn, MIDOCO GmbH, Umbrella AG, and eGlobalfares, to enhance the accessibility and integration of NDC fares.

Technological Platform and Innovation

AirGateway's technological platform is distinguished by its adherence to the IATA NDC standard, enabling direct connections between airlines and travel agents. Key components include:

NDC Aggregation: The platform aggregates NDC content from over 35 airlines, providing travel agents with access to a comprehensive range of airline products and services.

BookingPad: An agent desktop solution that offers a user-friendly interface for accessing and managing NDC bookings, including features such as disruption notifications and traveler profile management.

API Solutions: AirGateway provides API solutions that allow seamless integration with third-party platforms, enabling travel agencies to access NDC content within their existing systems.

Leadership Team

AirGateway is led by a team of experienced professionals:

Jorge Díaz: Founder and CEO, bringing extensive experience in airline distribution and technology innovation.

Lars Rehm: Head of Communications, responsible for overseeing the company's communication strategies and public relations.

The leadership team has been instrumental in forging strategic partnerships and driving the company's growth in the NDC aggregation space.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The airline distribution industry is undergoing significant transformation with the adoption of the NDC standard, aiming to modernize the distribution of airline products and services. This shift presents opportunities for companies like AirGateway to offer innovative solutions that enhance the connectivity between airlines and travel agencies.

Competitor Analysis

AirGateway operates in a competitive landscape alongside other NDC aggregators and traditional Global Distribution Systems (GDSs). Key competitors include:

GDSs: Companies like Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport are integrating NDC content into their platforms, offering comprehensive solutions to travel agencies.

Other NDC Aggregators: Companies such as TPConnects, Travelfusion, and Duffel provide similar NDC aggregation services, each with unique technological approaches and market focuses.

AirGateway differentiates itself through its focus on seamless integration, user-friendly interfaces, and a broad range of airline partnerships.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

AirGateway has established significant partnerships to strengthen its market position and expand its capabilities:

GO4 Travel: A partnership aimed at streamlining direct NDC connections for Portuguese agencies, providing access to over 35 airlines without GDS NDC surcharges.

eGlobalfares: An NDC API partnership that makes AirGateway's NDC content accessible to eGlobalfares customers worldwide, enhancing their reservation management capabilities.

MIDOCO and Umbrella AG: Integration partnerships that allow seamless automation and downstream processing of NDC bookings, facilitating scalability for travel organizations.

Operational Insights

AirGateway's strategic considerations include:

Market Position: Positioning itself as a leading NDC aggregator by continuously expanding airline partnerships and enhancing technological capabilities.

Competitive Advantages: Offering a user-friendly agent desktop solution (BookingPad), seamless API integrations, and a focus on direct NDC connections without surcharges, providing cost-effective solutions for travel agencies.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

AirGateway's strategic roadmap includes:

Expansion of Airline Partnerships: Continuing to add more airlines to its NDC aggregation platform to offer a broader range of content to travel agencies.

Technological Enhancements: Investing in the development of new features and improvements to existing products like BookingPad and API solutions to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

Market Expansion: Targeting new geographic markets and segments within the travel industry to broaden its customer base and increase market share.