ARC Surpasses 100,000 Mark in EMD Transactions

travel agentARC reports it has now processed more than 100,000 Electronic Miscellaneous Document (EMD) transactions since July 2012, when ARC began EMD settlement. ARC crossed this milestone last month, processing a monthly record of 6,655 EMDs. Comparatively, in October 2013, 4,031 EMDs were processed ARC said.

EMDs allow customers of traditional and online travel agencies to pay for an air carrier’s ancillary products, such as baggage or premium seats, at the same time their tickets are being purchased with the convenience of “one-stop shopping.”

Since ARC settled its first EMD, participation in the service has grown to include three global distribution systems, 346 travel agencies and 27 air carriers, including American Airlines, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Air Berlin.

Mike Premo, ARC president and CEO commented, “Processing more than 100,000 EMDs through the ARC settlement system illustrates the value a growing number of carriers see in leveraging the travel agency community to promote ancillary products and, in turn, help agencies provide their clients with world-class service. We thank our carrier partners who have taken advantage of ARC’s ability to seamlessly process their ancillary transactions and look forward to working with more carriers in the future.”

“Our airline customers have seen a steady increase in EMD volume over the past two years, including an impressive uptake of premium seats through leading OTAs such as priceline.com,” said Jim Davidson, Farelogix CEO and president. “As more airlines roll out NDC-style merchandising of value-added services, with even broader adoption by OTAs, agencies and GDSs, today’s numbers will look like a drop in the bucket.”

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