The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) sent a letter to Aleks Popovich, senior vice president, Industry Distribution and Financial Services at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) requesting that IATA seek regulatory review of its new “standards-setting” initiative, called New Distribution Capability (NDC), and that IATA include the travel agency distribution channel, through WTAAA, on all related committees and task forces. 

“IATA has the unique challenge of developing a standard that that will not be seen by regulators as having the potential to skew the competitive process,” said WTAAA Chair Peter Barlow. “We urge IATA to have its newly announced initiative reviewed by regulatory agencies to ensure the initiative is designed to producepro-competitive standards that will benefit the entire distribution system, not just IATA’s airline members. 

“The travel agency distribution system sells nearly 60 percent of global air tickets. Therefore, it’s imperative that our voices be heard,” said Barlow. “Further, as the global association whose members represent more than 70 percent of all agency issued tickets worldwide, it’s appropriate that WTAAA have a seat at the table.” 

Commenting on the issue, Ajay Prakash, Deputy Chairman WTAAA, said “It is imperative that IATA involves the global agent community while formulating the NDC. The GDS has been the mainstay of airline distribution and if an alternative is proposed, it is only fair that travel agents who form the largest distribution channel for airline inventories should be consulted. Airlines and agents are still partners, albeit unequal ones.” 

WTAAA has invited Popovich to speak with its members at itsannual general assembly Sept. 10-12, 2012 in Washington, D.C.