IATA is to push ahead with a new initiative creating a central database aimed at clarifying which baggage rules apply on interline flights, after its board of directors approved the project during AGM in Berlin.
The initiative, which forms the latest addition to its existing Simplifying the Business projects, is designed to address how airlines' increasingly varied baggage rules apply on interline flights. "Baggage rules are becoming increasingly complex and confusing. We must improve transparency so that travellers know what to expect," says IATA director general Giovanni Bisignani.
Under the project IATA is partnering with the Airline Tariff Publishing Company, which will host the central database. IATA will populate the database by mobilising airlines to submit their baggage rules to ATPCO by September 2010 for implementation in early 2011.
Speaking during a press conference in Berlin to unveil the new project, IATA's senior VP industry, distribution and financial systems, Aleks Popovich explained: "If a passenger is on an interline journey involving more than one airline, how does the agent know which baggage rules apply? This is about addressing this crucial issue."
IATA says travel agents and airlines that link to the new database through existing reservations and ticketing systems will enable passengers to receive baggage fee and allowance information at the time at the time of booking.
Popovich also reported continued progress in other elements of IATA's Simplifying the Business programme, under which it has already led the move to 100% e-ticketing. This includes a move to 100% use of 2D bar coded boarding passes by year-end and its e-services initiative to address remaining paper documents in the airline chain. "Even after e-ticketing there is still a hundred million pieces of paper swilling the passenger journey. The goal is removing this," says Popovich. It is doing this by creating global eclectronic miscellaneous document standard. Launched in December, four carriers have already implemented this and the target is for 100% usage in IATA's BSP system by end of 2013.
For more on other IATA e-freight initiative read our story here, while turn to page 16 of our issue 2 of IATA Show Daily to find out more about its Fast Travel initiative.
Source: Flight Daily News
