The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the US has been receiving a great deal of attention lately regarding a new XML standard they are in the processing of implementing. The IATA has recently filed an application with the Department of Transportation for approval for the Passenger Services Conference Resolution 787. This resolution is the foundation standard for the New Distribution Capability (NDC) which has been criticized by the retail section for limiting comparative shopping and has been hailed by it’s supporters as ushering in a brave new world of airline retail and distribution information exchange.

This is a hot topic for the US Air Transport industry and an interesting one for anyone interested in standards development and adoption. For several articles on this issue, please visit the following links:

• The Nation, 6 May 2013 - IATA assigned open licence
• FinChannel.com, 4 May 2013 - IATA assumes Open AXIS license
• Market Watch, 12 April 2013 – Head Schema Architect Appointed for IATA’s NDC Standard
• Travel Weekly, 26 March 2013 – Airline Retail Consultants Supports IATA Initiative
• Travel Agent Central, 15 March 2013 – IATA Defends New Distribution Capability
• Travel Weekly, 11 March 2013 - IATA Seeks Department of Transportation Approval for Distribution Plan