Despite opposition from some travel agents, implementing the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) New Distribution Capability (NDC) came a step closer with the approval of ARC.
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), ARC's president and CEO Mike Premo offered ARC's support of IATA's application for approval of Resolution 787 - IATA's designation of the NDC - recently filed by IATA.
DOT approval of IATA's program is required by law.
The NDC has been opposed by some large agencies and associations as well as by the Business Travel Coalition (BTC). The Travel Technology Association has expressed concerns, as has the Open Allies for Airfare Transparency. World Travel Inc, a major agency, questioned the costs of the NDC for travel agents.
"Based on our business experience, ARC confirms IATA’s position that Resolution 787 will provide air carriers with the technical ability to present their sales offerings—and they will include offerings that are more uniquely suited to the end user - to travel agents who, in turn, will present them to their customers, "ARC said
"As these offerings, e.g., on-board Wi-Fi, are not conveniently available through this sales channel today, adoption of the new XML standard will provide the foundation for such offerings," Premo said
"This will improve the competitive nature of this sales channel and will be of obvious benefit to both travel agents and their customers," Premo said. "The assertions of enhanced consumer choice through offer comparison, and the improved opportunity for travel agents to meet customer demand are, as a result, supported."
"ARC also notes certain aspects of the Resolution which are of particular importance, and supports them . For example, the flexibility contained in the Resolution is important. XML messaging is not proposed to replace EDIFACT messaging, but to supplement and improve upon it. This is an important feature of the Resolution," ARC said.
" We are… eager to provide U.S. based travel agents with a broad range of sales opportunities for their customers, and to allow those sales transactions to be processed and settled in the most convenient and efficient manner possible," ARC said.
ARC also said it supports IATA's stress on the importance of protecting individual privacy, and, "given ARC’s work in the data area, we strongly support the recognition of privacy concerns in any standards."
ARC also requested that it be designed to accommodate financial settlement by ARC on neutral electronic forms. "ARC’s settlement system provides the best option for travel agents. Its ease of use and efficiencies are well-established, and this new application would be well-served by incorporating these processes," ARC said.
Visit www.DOT.gov or www.arccorp.com