Ethiopian Airlines partners with Nucore Technologies to upgrade its Agency Portal, a key B2B platform serving over 2,000 active customers across more than 100 global stations.
Announced in early January 2026, this enhancement introduces real-time reporting and analytics, automated booking and payment workflows, NDC-enabled distribution for fares and ancillaries, flexible payment options, and simplified access to hotel packages.
Ethiopian Airlines aircraft showcasing the carrier’s modern fleet and operational scale.
Bilen Arefaine, Vice President of ET Holiday and Digital/GCIC Sales, stated: “This upgrade lets partners access our services more easily, including NDC offers and ancillaries, backed by global platform support and 24/7 technical assistance.”
This initiative aligns with Ethiopian Airlines’ Vision 2035, which seeks to position the airline among the top 20 most competitive aviation groups globally.
The Competitive Landscape
Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s leading carrier, faces intense competition from Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, which dominate long-haul connectivity through their respective hubs in Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul.
These Gulf and Turkish carriers benefit from extensive networks, premium services, and substantial resources, often capturing significant traffic between Africa and global destinations.
Modern airport infrastructure supporting Ethiopian Airlines’ hub operations.
Despite these challenges, Ethiopian Airlines has demonstrated resilience, maintaining profitability and market leadership in Africa while expanding its reach.
Role of the Agency Portal Upgrade and NDC Integration
The upgraded Agency Portal enhances B2B distribution by adopting New Distribution Capability (NDC), an IATA standard that enables dynamic, personalized offers, richer content, and seamless ancillary sales.
This allows travel agencies, corporate clients, and aggregators to access Ethiopian Airlines’ direct content more efficiently, improving booking experiences and revenue potential.
Conceptual illustrations of NDC-enabled distribution in the airline industry.
NDC provides a competitive edge by reducing dependency on traditional channels, offering tailored pricing, and streamlining operations, capabilities that major competitors like Qatar Airways have leveraged successfully in the region.
The integration of advanced analytics and automated workflows further supports data-driven decisions, operational efficiency, and partner satisfaction, addressing key areas where agility can differentiate Ethiopian Airlines in a crowded market.
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Alignment with Vision 2035 and Broader Technological Strategy
This partnership supports Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term ambitions, including fleet modernization, network expansion to over 200 destinations, and increased passenger and cargo volumes.
Technology investments, such as digital platforms and NDC adoption, strengthen the airline’s position by improving connectivity, partner engagement, and service delivery.
Dashboard interfaces representing real-time analytics and booking tools for travel partners.
Such advancements enable Ethiopian Airlines to compete more effectively on service quality, accessibility, and cost efficiency, particularly in the African and intercontinental segments.
Technology, exemplified by the Nucore partnership and NDC integration, can significantly aid Ethiopian Airlines in competing with Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines as of January 10, 2026.
By modernizing distribution channels, enhancing partner capabilities, and aligning with global standards, the airline strengthens its market position and advances toward Vision 2035 objectives.
While challenges persist in scale and resources, these strategic digital enhancements foster greater competitiveness, efficiency, and customer focus. For ongoing developments, refer to official announcements from Ethiopian Airlines.
Ethiopian Airlines Overview
Ethiopian Airlines booking services allow passengers to plan their journeys efficiently, with options to review Ethiopian airlines ticket price details before confirming travel.
Travelers can complete Ethiopian Airlines check-in and Ethiopian Airlines ticket Check online through the airline’s digital platforms, while Ethiopian Airlines Manage Booking features enable changes to seats, schedules, and passenger details.
For assistance, customers can reach Ethiopian Airlines Contact support via the Ethiopian Airlines Contact Number or the Ethiopian Airlines call Center, ensuring timely help for reservations, inquiries, and other travel-related needs.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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