COMPUTER RESERVATION SYSTEM (CRS) CODE OF CONDUCT

The original code came into effect in 1989, since when the market has changed dramatically. The US went for complete deregulation and there was pressure from some quarters for the same in the EU. The European Commission decided to maintain the regulation and adopted proposals in December 2008 http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st03/st03675.en08.pdf which came into effect on 29 March 2009. They prohibit the identification of travel agents in Marketing Information Data Tapes (MIDTs) unless the agent agrees with the CRS on the use of the data; this also applies to data supplied to third parties such as IATA’s PaxIS. The definition of parent carrier is still open to interpretation; the European Commission is currently working on guidelines on this. There is also a provision to ensure identification of blacklisted carriers.

ABTA's Position

Lobbying has mainly been through ECTAA with the main concerns being: the removal of mandatory participation of parent carriers in other CRSs, particularly in Amadeus-dominated countries; the need for access to full inventory; and the sale of commercially sensitive agent data (MIDTs) by CRS to airlines or third parties.

ABTA lobbied the DfT and UK MEPs involved in the parliamentary committee concerned, including the Rapporteur, emphasising the need for agent identification to be removed from the MIDTs.  Guidance was issued to Members in March 2009 on the restriction of the sale of commercially sensitive agent data.  

Last updated: 14 August 2009