The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) reports it is collaborating with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on a GBTA Foundation study on the use of corporate data by business travel aggregators. The GBTA Foundation report will be published in November 2012.
The report is the first step in gaining a better understanding of this issue, which is of great importance to GBTA members, GBTA said.
In addition to cooperating on the report, IATA will host a webinar for GBTA members on November 13 demonstrating the PaxIS and DDS technology products available to the air transport and travel and tourism industries.
GBTA says this initiative is the first in a series of possible joint efforts by the two organizations that could cover such issues as the need for a global approach to aviation emissions rather than a regional approach like Europe's Emissions Trading Scheme.
Other issues cited by the GBTA is the desirability of trusted traveler programs for streamlined and secure business traveler airport processing and and promoting the value of air travel in fostering economic growth.
The report and the potential for broader collaborative efforts are the outcome of a recent meeting between the two organizations.
"IATA and GBTA represent different segments of the same value chain. Our respective memberships depend upon the overall success of this value chain with the need for a common voice. Working together, we can help each other to better understand customer needs for our products and services. We welcome this new era of collaboration," said Aleksander Popovich, IATA senior vice president, industry distribution and financial services.
Paul Tilstone, managing director of GBTA Europe, said about the upcoming study on the use of data, "This is an issue of great interest and importance for corporate buyers in Europe in particular. We look forward to the outcome of the GBTA Foundation report as a means of bringing facts to our members, and to working together in future with IATA on subjects of shared interest to our members and customers."
GBTA and IATA have also agreed on a set of practical steps to provide greater insights between airlines and corporate travel buyers.
GBTA also reports that Popovich is speaking on trends in airline distribution and industry data at the GBTA Europe conference in Budapest in September and Tilstone is speaking about the impact of ancillary fees at IATA’s World Passenger Symposium in Abu Dhabi in October.
GBTA also notes that IATA is consulting a group of the association's buyer members about the recent draft of revised IATA standards and procedures for a New Distribution Capability.
Visit www.gbta.org or www.IATA.org