U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Action on IATA NDC (Resolution 787)

GBTA Remains Concerned About Unintended Consequences; Managed Travel Programs Still At Risk

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May 21, 2014, 04:31 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) tentatively approved a proposal for a data transmission standard that was submitted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

GBTA Executive Director and COO Michael W. McCormick issued the following statement:

"GBTA respects the decision of the Department of Transportation and believes the DOT announcement recognizes the complex relationship between the need for modern standards versus the need for consumer protection. Corporations spent more than $1.12 trillion USD on business travel last year. Although the focus of this ruling is on the impact on multiple industry stakeholders, it is the requirements of the corporation who ultimately pays the bill that must be met."

"GBTA recognizes the value of a modern standard to enhance information presented to the end user, but it is the use of the standard in airline business models that concerns us. While GBTA further analyzes the DOT ruling and decides on further actions, we will be developing a voluntary code of conduct to the airline community to continue to work toward a cooperative industry solution."

"Airlines that wish to continue to build on long-established relationships with the business travel community must consider the content of the voluntary code of conduct to ensure whichever business model they choose also supports the managed travel principles of data capture, transparency in pricing and access to content through chosen channels, as well as a corporation's responsibility for care for their travelers."

"GBTA will continue to work closely with the DOT, IATA and all industry stakeholders to continue to shape the outcome of this critical debate."

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings organization. Collectively, GBTA's 6,600-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 21,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy. For more information, visit gbta.org

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SOURCE Global Business Travel Association