ARTA reacts to governments plan

Reports indicate that the federal government will be announcing new regulations requiring advertised airline ticket prices to include all taxes, fees and possibly additional charges. The new rules are expected to take effect at some time in 2012. ARTA Canada was quick to comment on the reports of the expected announcement (set for today — Friday, Dec. 16, 2011), with its president, Bruce Bishins observing: “Needless to say, the specific details regarding which taxes, fees, surcharges, and other amounts must be included in an all-inclusive advertised ticket price needs to be carefully analyzed once we have received the regulations imposed.” Bishins continued: “Not only is this a matter of the actual all-in price itself, but also which channels of distribution are affected, how such prices must be portrayed on Internet sites, how regulated provinces with pricing rules may be required to amend existing provincial regulations, and which public-facing or travel trade-only systems (GDS, airline agency portals, alternative distribution platforms) are impacted.” ARTA Canada indicated that it will be studying the regulations and issuing guidance to travel agents as soon as the regulations are announced and clarifications sought.