WTAAA wants review of IATA plan

The World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA) wants a regulatory review of IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) initiative and it also wants to be included on “all related committees and task forces” in order to represent the travel agency distribution channel. WTAAA chair, Peter Barlow said: “IATA has the unique challenge of developing a standard that will not be seen by regulators as having the potential to skew the competitive process. We urge IATA to have its newly announced initiative reviewed by regulatory agencies to ensure the initiative is designed to produce pro-competitive standards that will benefit the entire distribution system, not just IATA’s airline members.” Barlow pointed out that: “The travel agency distribution system sells nearly 60% of global air tickets. Therefore, it’s imperative that our voices be heard. Further, as the global association whose members represent more than 70% of all agency issued tickets worldwide, it’s appropriate that WTAAA have a seat at the table.” WTAAA made its concerns known in a letter to Aleks Popovich, senior vice president, Industry Distribution and Financial Services for IATA. The agency association also invited Popovich to speak with its members at its annual general assembly set for Sept. 10 to Sept. 12, 2012 in Washington, D.C.