IATA to Recognize Internet Flight Bookings

The International Air Transport Assn., seeking to tap the booming Internet market, announced plans to recognize flight reservations by online service providers for the first time. Beginning Aug. 1, the global airlines body said, service providers of electronic reservations will be allocated industry code numbers to enable airlines to identify their online bookings. Requirements for the electronic-reservations service providers to receive IATA accreditation will be less strict than those for the world body’s Accredited Travel Agents, the IATA said in a statement. Such online service providers handle reservation booking services for clients and may also offer some additional ticketing and payment possibilities if an airline allows them to do so, the Geneva- and Montreal-based IATA said.