Sabtu, 26 Oktober 2013

GBTA, BTC, ASTA Demand Dialogue Over IATA?s Airline Booking Plan

With the International Air Transport Association (IATA) determined to implement its proposed New Distribution Capability (NDC), a set of standards that would fundamentally alter the way airline tickets are booked, travel agency and business travel groups are rushing to counter with their own proposals and conditions for such a system. They are also demanding a dialogue with IATA over NDC

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) on Oct. 25 released what it called core "principles and parameters" relating to IATA's NDC and Resolution 787, a proposed new Extensible Mark Up Language (XML)-based electronic data interchange standard for airline distribution communications, which would form the basis of NDC. IATA has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to approve that new XML data standard, which effectively would be a precursor to approval of NDC itself. Because of the government shutdown and the vagaries of its own approval process, however, the DOT has not issued any ruling on IATA's filing.

"GBTA has closely followed the process for over a year to be sure that the interests of the business travel buyer – and their companies – have been represented," said Michael McCormick, GBTA's executive director and chief operating officer. "Although the issues are complex, the stakes are high and we must be sure our membership is well represented in this matter. Further meaningful dialogue with IATA at this stage in the process is an excellent opportunity to ensure IATA and its airline members understand the priorities and needs of the business travel buyer."

GBTA said it has already been talking with IATA over the past year about Resolution 787 and NDC, which reportedly would allow airlines to better sell ancillary fee-based products by matching customer preferences. GBTA is urging IATA to accept its principles and parameters as the basis for further dialogue that "will ultimately benefit all stakeholders."

GBTA's move came just days before several top travel groups on Oct. 28 are scheduled to unveil what they are calling a "new collaborative process to develop technology standards for air distribution."  These groups -- including the European Technology & Travel Services Association, the American Society of Travel Agents, the Consumer Travel Alliance, the Business Travel Coalition, and the Travel Technology Association -- collectively represent consumers, professional travel buyers, travel agents and travel technology providers in the U.S. and Europe.

They will brief the media and government regulators on a new approach to global travel distribution innovation that includes all industry stakeholders based on pro-traveler principles like transparency, choice and competition.

The new initiatives by GBTA and the other travel groups come on the eve of the IATA's World Passenger Symposium, where airlines are expected to again endorse and authorize NDC as the standard for airline reservations going forward. In addition, IATA and the rest of the travel industry also are awaiting the DOT's ruling on Resolution 787, though because of the government shutdown and its own rulings process, the DOT may not issue a decision anytime soon.



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