Date: April 11th 2008

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release


IAPA, BTC Support Airline Divestiture of CRS Stakes Proposal

Applauds Parliament’s Focus on the Consumer

London, England, 11 April 2008—The International Airline Passengers Association (IAPA) and Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today applauded the European Parliament for providing much needed consumer focus to consideration of proposed reforms to the Code of Conduct that governs computerized reservations systems (CRSs). Rapporteur Timothy Kirkhope provided a thoughtful and balanced report that contained very solid analysis and proposals and enabled informed debate.

The Parliament debate also considered a proposal advanced by Brian Simpson calling for a complete, orderly divestiture of airline ownership stakes in CRSs. Complete divestiture would represent the über consumer-focused solution to potential abuses stemming from airline ownership of CRSs. Divestiture would eliminate the possibility of abuses that might go undetected under any version of a Code of Conduct; would virtually guarantee that consumers have access to complete and accurate information regarding airfare and rail offerings when using either online or traditional travel agencies; and EU and U.S. airline and GDS industry regulatory oversight approaches would be harmonized.

IAPA and BTC are very appreciative of the strong leadership demonstrated by Mr Kirkhope and other Parliament members on this issue so critical to consumer interests, and urge the rest of Parliament to follow their lead.

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CONTACT IAPA || Jonathan French | 011 44 77 52356258 | Jonathan.French@Prioritypass.co.uk

CONTACT BTC || Kevin Mitchell | 610-341-1850 | mitchell@BusinessTravelCoalition.com


ABOUT IAPA
The International Airline Passengers Association has more than 45 years’ history representing frequent business travellers. It has offices in Dallas, London and Hong Kong and over 400,000 members throughout the world.

About BTC
Founded in 1994, the mission of the Business Travel Coalition is to bring transparency to industry and government policies and practices so that customers can influence issues of strategic importance to them.




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