ASTA has gained international support in its fight against American Airlines' distribution strategy.
Three organizations, the World Federation of Travel Agents Associations (WTAAA), the Canadian Association of Travel Agents and Travel Advisors (ACTA), and the Foro Latin America de Turismo (FOLATUR), issued a statement to Americans.
ASTA allows American Airlines to remove many fares from its traditional distribution system and make them available only through New Distribution Capacity (NDC) connections, as well as prioritization status before customer bookings can earn loyalty points. The government took issue with the fact that travel agencies were required to obtain
ASTA has launched a consumer website where advisors and their clients can send messages to lawmakers calling for a Congressional investigation into American Airlines.
WTAAA said American's tactics “fragment distribution, drive up costs and reduce transparency for consumers seeking to compare products from multiple airlines.”
WTAAA also said the US is “neglecting” travel agencies and their services to consumers.
ACTA president Wendy Paradis said the measure, which would limit loyalty point eligibility for many agent bookings, would “certainly disadvantage consumers” who book with agents.
FOLATUR predicted that other airlines would follow American Airlines' move, impacting air passengers around the world.
“There is clear consensus among travel experts around the world that American Airlines' actions will have a negative impact on the global travel industry,” said Zane Kirby, president and CEO of ASTA. Stated. “American Airlines is operating in bad faith, and our valued members and the millions of consumers who trust and depend on them to ensure the best prices, value and peace of mind when it comes to business and business. “Individual travel that seeks to inflate revenue at the expense of personal travel.'' ”
