| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 72 |
| Copyright: Other |
Agents told to splash out on new computers
THE International Air Transport Association is forcing agents to spend thousands of pounds on new technology to stay accredited IATAretailers.Some 500 agents that manually write airline tickets will have to pay £1,000 for a ticket printer. IATAhas also asked them to invest in computers with Internet access.
IATA has given agents less than a year to conform, as they must switch to automated ticketing and sales reporting by May 31 next year.
Roger Waterfall, a managing partner of Waterfall Travel in Skipton, claimed IATA had failed to tell agents what the cost of switching would be. He was also angry that the association had not yet said what type of printer agents will need.
IATA said it is mandatory for all agents worldwide to have automated ticketing and sales reporting and plans to advise agents what printers they will need this summer.