ARTA Welcomes Farelogix Baggage Calculation Tool


The launch of Farelogix's IFlyBags.com (www.iflybags.com), an online baggage allowance and fee calculator, was welcomed by the Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA).

"The tool allows for direct consultation by travel agencies for inclusion in traveller itineraries or as an embedded link on agency web sites. The raw baggage data comes from ATPCO baggage rules and fee information for some 300 airlines and is updated several times a day. The data supports the airline industry and IATA Resolution 302 by providing travel sellers with a comprehensive database of airlines’ baggage policies," ARTA said in a statement.

The tool will also help travel agencies meet DOT compliance rules regarding baggage information disclosure, ARTA said.

"This is very welcome news to help agents capture and disseminate accurate baggage information for travelers. It also proves that travel technology providers which choose to work constructively with the airline industry can produce useful and cost-effective tools to support and enhance the travel agency distribution channel. With no contracts, no term commitments and no productivity thresholds, these types of programs are precisely what travel agents want", said ARTA Managing Director Bruce Bishins.

ARTA also noted that Farelogix intends to integrate iFlyBags into its SPRK travel agency desktop before the end of 2011.

ARTA, ARTA Canada, ATPCO, and Farelogix are allied members of the Open AXIS Group, an organization which promotes XML standards as the optimal electronic messaging structure for airline system connectivity, including direct connections.

Visit www.arta.travel