DOT Tentatively Approves NDC
by Michele McDonald /The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) tentatively approved IATA Resolution 787 which creates the framework for a “New Distribution Capability” to facilitate personalized offers by airlines to customers, including ancillary products and services.
The DOT said it believes the conditions proposed by IATA and the Open Allies for Airfare Transparency in January “will adequately address the public interest issues raised in this proceeding.”
Those conditions clarify IATA’s commitment to anonymous shopping, compatibility of existing data standards with the NDC standard, and the voluntary nature of the standard.
The Open Allies for Airfare Transparency—whose members include the three GDS companies, ASTA and other travel industry groups—initially opposed approval of the resolution.
The DOT also said carriers and ticket agents must continue to comply with regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive practices as well as all relevant consumer protection regulations regarding fare and fee displays.
A show cause order issued by the DOT directs interested parties to explain why it should not approve the resolution. Objections must be filed by June 11.