ARC to Move Up Weekly Sales Report Authorization Deadline for Agencies

As part of its plans to “expedite transaction data,” Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) is changing the way it requires agencies to report air ticket sales.

Starting on Jan. 13, 2025, ARC will require agencies to authorize their weekly sales reports by 1:59 p.m. EST each Tuesday, save for Monday and Tuesday holiday weeks. Previously, ARC required air ticket sales to be reported by 11:59 p.m. EST.

Announcing the change on Thursday, in a message seen by TMR, ARC told its members that the change in process will allow for faster customer refunds— refunds/exchanges issued on Monday or Sunday will be accelerated by one day—and quick er access to sales data for agencies and airlines.

ARC said that most of its members already report by that new 1:59 p.m. EST deadline, but recognized that, for the others who don’t, which is around 30%, the change will require updates to processes.

“This is why we are giving ample notice of this change. Ensuring your agency has time to prepare should this change in schedule impact your operations will make for a successful transition,” ARC said in its announcement.

ARC recommends agencies begin reconciling sales deports daily, which will reduce the time commitment to clear errors by the new deadline. And, for any exchange transactions, ARC says to make sure any residual value MCO/EMD is correctly linked to the primary exchange, so the transaction is accurately balanced before settlement.