Industry Makes Progress to Reduce Baggage Mishandling, New Survey Reveals

Reykjavík – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today released a global progress report on the implementation of baggage tracking. Focused on IATA Resolution 753, which requires tracking baggage at acceptance, loading, transfer and arrival, the survey of 155 airlines and 94 airports reveals that:

44% of airlines have fully implemented Resolution 753 and a further 41% are in progress.

Regional variation in airline full adoption rates vary from 88% in China and North Asia, to 60% in the Americas, 40% in Europe and Asia-Pacific, and 27% in Africa.

75% of airports surveyed have the capability for Resolution 753 baggage tracking.

Airport preparedness for Resolution 753 varies by size*: 75% of mega airports are capable, 85% of major airports, 82% of large airports and 61% of medium airports.

Optical barcode scanning is the dominant tracking technology implemented by the majority of airports (73%) surveyed. Tracking using RFID, which is more efficient, is implemented in 27% of surveyed airports. Notably, RFID technology has seen higher adoption rates at mega airports, with 54% already implementing this advanced tracking system.

“Between 2007 and 2022 baggage mishandling reduced by nearly 60%. That is good news. But travelers expect better; and the industry is determined to make further improvements. Tracking bags at acceptance, loading, transfer and delivery will give the industry the data it needs to improve. Tracking reduces overall mishandlings and helps airlines reunite mishandled bags with their owners even faster. With 44% of airlines already fully implementing Resolution 753 tracking and a further 41% in progress, travelers can have even more confidence that their bags will be at the carousel on arrival,” said Monika Mejstrikova, IATA Director Ground Operations.

In 2022, the global rate of mishandled bags was 7.6 per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA. The majority of these were returned within 48 hours.

Accelerating Modern Baggage Messaging

Resolution 753 requires airlines to exchange baggage tracking messages with interline partners and their agents. The current baggage messaging infrastructure depends on legacy technologies using costly Type B messaging. This high cost adversely affects the implementation of Resolution 753 and contributes to issues with message quality, leading to an increase in baggage mishandling.

IATA is leading the industry’s transition from Type B to modern baggage messaging based on XML standards. The first pilot to test modern baggage messaging between airport and airlines is planned for launch in 2024.

“Adopting modern messaging is the equivalent of implementing a new standard, intelligible language for use by airlines, airports, and ground handling staff so they can effectively communicate about passenger luggage. In addition to helping reduce the number of mishandled bags implementation also sets the stage for ongoing innovations in baggage management systems,” said Mejstrikova.

Background

IATA resolution 753 was adopted by June in 2018. In 2024, IATA launched a campaign to assist airlines with the implementation. The campaign focuses on collecting data on the implementation status of airlines and providing support to member airlines to develop and execute their implementation plans. This initiative underscores IATA’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiencies and standards across the industry.

*Airport size classification:

Medium: 5-15 million

Large: 15–25 million

Major: 25–40 million

Mega: >40 million

Source:  Tourism News Africa.  

ASATA joins Association of Eastern and Southern Africa Travel Agents

ASATA is taking its advocacy efforts to new heights by officially joining the Association of Eastern and Southern Africa Travel Agents (AESATA) as a new member. This partnership unlocks new collaboration and growth opportunities for its members.

South African travel agents are set to benefit from strengthened regional ties and a unified advocacy platform through this partnership, which connects ASATA with travel agent associations from 10 other countries. Together, they will collectively tackle cross-border challenges, promote intra-Africa travel, and drive sustainable business growth across the region.

Through AESATA, ASATA members gain access to shared insights on key industry trends and patterns impacting the travel sector in Eastern and Southern Africa. The collaboration allows South African travel agencies to have a stronger, unified voice in advocating for policies that create an enabling environment for business development.

“Joining AESATA is a game-changer for our members,” said Otto de Vries, CEO of ASATA. “Cross-border cooperation is crucial for our industry’s long-term success. By partnering with our peers, we open up new opportunities to learn from one another, forge regional partnerships, and ensure travel agencies’ interests are prioritised as drivers of sustainable tourism growth across Africa.”

AESATA provides a platform for national associations to jointly tackle issues of mutual importance, such as rebuilding resilient travel business models, promoting intra-Africa travel, and aligning policies to uphold responsible tourism practices. A key focus is leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area to unlock the continent’s full potential for travel and tourism.

The upcoming 2024 AESATA Conference in Kigali, Rwanda in May will convene under the theme “Beyond Borders, Beyond Limits” – a call for travel agents to innovate, collaborate regionally, and future-proof their businesses.

ASATA’s new membership underscores the association’s vision for an integrated, prosperous, and competitive Southern African travel industry. Through fostering cross-border cooperation, ASATA aims to empower its members to deliver exceptional service and travel experiences for customers across the region and globally.

About ASATA

Established in 1956, the Association of Southern African Travel Agents is a representative forum registered as an Association of Persons, that promotes professional service in the travel industry for both members and their clients. Representing over 99% of the travel industry in terms of market share, ASATA’s membership is voluntary and includes South African retail travel agents, travel management companies, wholesalers and suppliers of travel-related products and services.

Source:  Tourism News Africa.  

Renegade Air Supports KATA Kisumu Travel Agents Forum.

Travel Agents in Kisumu on Tuesday gathered at the Acacia Premier Hotel for this year’s Kisumu Travel Agents Forum hosted by KATA and supported by Renegade Air. The forum brought together agents and operators from the larger Western region tourism circuit and explored the topic “Unlocking Opportunities: Empowering Travel and Tourism in the Lake Region.”

At the forum, participants discussed the potential growth of the travel business in the western Kenya region and the role domestic carriers such as Renegade Air play in supporting local economies. The Chairperson of KATA Allied members and KATA Board member Grace Ndung’u spoke about the role KATA plays in supporting travel agencies in the country and called upon agents who were not members to consider joining the membership. Patrick Oketch, the Marketing and Sales Officer at Renegade Air, lauded the support travel agents were giving the airline, noting that over 60% of the airline’s sales were generated by Travel Agents. He reiterated the airline’s commitment to continue working with agents and offering them support whenever they required. Charles of Sandah Travel and Tours shared with participants how KATA had helped him build his business grow since joining in 2023. “Through KATA, I have been able to participate in international travel shows in South Africa twice, and now I am headed to Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). These international shows are helping me build my international profile and networks.

Hyper-personalization: Will it contribute to sales and the travel industry in 2024?

As hyper-personalization goes beyond the usual strategies that have been used so far to benefit travel needs, there are advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning that may be able to provide the necessary services that travelers need.

Martin Eade from travel search and booking technology provider Vibe believes there’s a lot riding on this. “This is the holy grail of personalization and the first company to get this right will have a real first mover advantage. After all, why would customers switch from a hotel or airline that can anticipate their needs before they even know them themselves?”.

“The aim is to create strategies that make each guest feel special and unique, instead of feeling like a faceless member of a generic market segment. But before companies can achieve hyper-personalization, they need to shift their focus from the product to the client, developing a customer-centric strategy. Harnessing data will help them to understand exactly who their clients are, how they behave, and what they expect when they come to stay at a hotel, or travel on a specific airline.” commented Rubén Sánchez, CEO of the leading hotel revenue management platform BEONx.

Another way artificial intelligence can enable hyper-personalization is via automation. “Valuable, quick ‘recipes’ for automation will allow hoteliers to create predictable, reliable processes so they take their hands off keyboards and create more unique human-to-human interactions. At Cloudbeds, we’re building toward a world where AI-powered automations check out guests, trigger emails for last-minute reservations, add notes for housekeeping when a VIP guest arrives, and create in-depth reports with insights that drive better decisions. When a hotelier’s days become less manual, their guests’ personalized experience will soar.” said Adam Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudbeds. At the same time, Mr. Harris believes that hospitality technology platform powers more bookings and happier guests for independent accommodation operators around the world.

Gareth Matthews, Chief Marketing Officer at global travel distribution provider Didatravel thinks the industry might finally be in a position to offer elements of this to travelers in 2024.  As a final thought Craig Everett, Founder and CEO from Holibob, the experiences tech provider to tourism boards and online travel sellers, comments that hyper-personalization might lead to a related new trend: hyper-localisation. “Not only do these new technologies empower travel companies to develop a more intricate knowledge of their traveller, but they also fast-track deeper contextual understanding of their interests in relation to their destination. This has the opportunity to unlock a level of hyper-local, hyper-relevant online recommendations that could finally push the experiences sector into the online realm.

Source: Money-Tourism.gr

Etihad Airways Unveils Daily Service to Nairobi reconnecting East Africa with the UAE.

12 Apr 2024 – By Bryan Obala.

Etihad Airways is gearing up to reconnect East Africa with a brand-new daily service to Nairobi, slated to kick off on May 1, 2024.

In partnership with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), Etihad Airways is pulling out all the stops for a spectacular launch event. This exclusive occasion will take place at the newly inaugurated JW Marriott Hotel, the tallest hotel in Kenya boasting an impressive 35 storeys.

This non-stop flight will whisk passengers from Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi to Nairobi, with departure scheduled for 9:05 and arrival at 13:15 local time. Return flights will depart Nairobi at 18:10, arriving back in Abu Dhabi at 00:20.

Operating this route will be the Airbus A320 aircraft, boasting both business and economy cabins to cater to diverse passenger needs.

Beyond simply facilitating travel, this service heralds a vital reestablishment of direct commercial connections between these two vibrant cities. It’s poised to catalyze a surge in cross-business collaborations and trade opportunities between the United Arab Emirates and Kenya.

Excited to embark on this journey? Tickets are already available for purchase via Etihad Airways’ website. Secure your seat now and get ready to explore the wonders of East Africa like never before!

Qatar Airways Announces the Launch of Flights to Democratic Republic of Congo

Qatar Airways announces the latest expansion of its network to include Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), enabling greater frequencies and increased capacity to Luanda, Angola.

This latest network expansion  provides passengers with greater travel choices within a key region of Africa,  opening up a new entry point for international travel from Africa to China, Europe and the India Subcontinent using Doha, Qatar, as a gateway. The addition of Kinshasa increases the number of destinations in Africa served by the award-winning airline to twenty-nine.

Starting from the first of June 2024, Luanda will see a frequency increase from one weekly flight to four weekly flights with a combined service to Kinshasa which Qatar Airways will serve for the first time. For a world-class experience, the new route will be served by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, equipped with 22 Business Class seats and 232 Economy Class seats.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “We have seen significant milestones in our 2024 network expansion and this latest addition is particularly special, as it continues our strategic goal of increasing our footprint in Africa.”

“The inclusion of Kinshasa in our network is the latest manifestation of our efforts to improve connectivity to Africa. Qatar Airways has showcased its commitment to the region by providing passengers in Africa with greater choice to explore different corners of the world through our network and our hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport.”

Source: Airspace-Africa.

Kenya Airways launches new Route to Maputo.

In response to growing demand for travel between East and Southern Africa, Kenya Airways (KQ) has launched a brand-new route connecting Nairobi directly to the vibrant city of Maputo, Mozambique.  This exciting expansion takes flight from 14th June 2024, further solidifying KQ’s commitment to strengthening its network and offering seamless travel experiences across the continent.

“The demand for air travel is soaring, and we’re determined to meet it by expanding our reach and fostering connections between Africa’s rich cultures and thriving economies,” says Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways. “The addition of Maputo to our network strengthens ties between Kenya and Mozambique, opening doors for increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.”

Beyond its designation as a major trade hub for southern Africa, Maputo enchants visitors with its rich tapestry of history and culture. Portuguese colonial influences are evident in the city’s architecture, while vibrant markets and a flourishing art scene offer a glimpse into contemporary Mozambican life.  Whether you seek relaxation on pristine beaches or exploration of fascinating museums, Maputo promises an unforgettable experience.

Starting 14th June, KQ will operate three flights per week to Maputo, with Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays becoming the flexible gateways to exploring this dynamic city.  Beyond Maputo, this expansion complements KQ’s broader network strategy for FY2024, which also boasts increased frequencies to popular destinations like New York, Paris, Lagos, Accra, and Freetown.

Source:   Airspace-Africa

Exploring Innovations in IATA Payment Solutions for Travel Agents: Insights from the Inaugural Payments Summits.

30th March 2024

By: Bryan Obala

Membership & Communications, KATA

During the inaugural Payments Summits, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) provided a comprehensive overview of innovations in IATA Payment solutions. This presentation, led by IATA’s Country Manager East Africa, Agnes Mucuha, highlighted the organization’s Focus Africa initiative. This initiative is dedicated to maximizing aviation’s contribution to African development by enhancing services for passengers and shippers.

Focus Africa Initiative: The Focus Africa initiative, spearheaded by IATA, is geared towards delivering measurable improvements in six critical areas: safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance and distribution, sustainability, and skills development. Of particular relevance to the Payments Summit discussion was the focus on finance and distribution, aiming to accelerate the implementation of secure, effective, and cost-efficient financial services, alongside the adoption of modern retailing standards.

IATA EasyPay (IEP): A significant aspect of the presentation centered on IATA EasyPay (IEP), an optional pay-as-you-go solution designed for travel agents. IEP provides a simpler and more secure method for transacting with airlines through the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP). It’s noteworthy that IEP is a closed-loop electronic payment solution, voluntary in nature, and devoid of any charges, offering greater flexibility and choice for Accredited Travel agents to manage their business challenges.

From left: Agnes Mucuha, Country Manager East Africa, International Air Transport Association (IATA); Hamisi Hassan, Vice Chairman, Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA)

Advantages for Participants: IATA outlined the advantages of IATA EasyPay for participating Airlines and IATA Accredited Agents:

  • Voluntary: IEP is available to all IATA accredited agents, with the decision to use it resting with each agent. It does not intend to replace existing payment methods in the BSP.
  • Secure: IEP ensures security by requiring agents to fund their IATA EasyPay account. The system verifies fund availability at the time of ticket issuance, mitigating the risk of chargebacks for airlines.
  • Fast: IATA settles IEP amounts to airlines on a daily basis through existing BSP processes, ensuring prompt transfer of funds within 48 to 96 hours following ticket issuance.
  • Economical: With low transaction costs, IEP proves to be more cost-effective for airlines compared to credit card transactions.
  • Flexible: IEP transactions are secure, allowing agents to lower their financial security amounts with IATA and issue transactions outside their cash issuance capacity.

Expansion in Africa: An exciting revelation from the presentation was that the IATA EasyPay service is now available in 27 countries across Africa. Moreover, IATA is actively collaborating with authorities to expand into additional markets, demonstrating a commitment to support Africa’s aviation industry and modernize financial services and solutions across the continent.

In summary, IATA’s presentation at the Payments Summits provided valuable insights into the innovative strides being made in IATA Payment solutions, particularly through the introduction of IATA EasyPay. As the initiative gains momentum and expands its footprint across Africa, it promises to revolutionize financial transactions within the aviation sector, benefitting both airlines and travel agents alike.

Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) Partners with Absa Bank Kenya and Visa to Introduce Enhanced Corporate Card Solutions.

28th March 2024

By: Bryan Obala

Membership & Communications, KATA

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Absa Bank Kenya, in conjunction with Visa, has unveiled the Visa Commercial Choice Programme, a pioneering Corporate Card solution aimed at members affiliated with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA). This innovative initiative promises a myriad of benefits including enhanced automation, flexibility, and improved cash flow management for travel agents across the country.

From left: Dr. Joseph Kithitu, KATA Chairman; Moses Muthui, Consumer Banking Director, Absa Bank; James Kabuthi, Head of Products and Solutions, East Africa, Visa

Under this strategic partnership, travel agents under KATA, representing a formidable network of over 300 travel agencies, stand to gain from streamlined payment solutions tailored specifically for business to business (B2B) transactions. These solutions are geared towards fostering efficient working capital management, operational effectiveness, and improved supplier relationships.

The Visa Commercial Choice Travel Programme, freshly introduced by Absa Bank, offers a plethora of advantages for travel agents within KATA. Notably, agents now have the option to conduct transactions in Kenyan Shillings or US Dollars, empowering them to effectively manage cash flows and optimize working capital. Furthermore, members can leverage the Visa Commercial Pay Virtual Card Platform to automate booking processes and access cutting-edge tools for data management and reconciliation, complete with an intuitive reporting feature for seamless monitoring.

In addition to the tailored Corporate Card solution, Absa Bank is also rolling out a revamped Absa Corporate Visa Card, equipped with enhanced features and flexibility to address the diverse needs of businesses. Through this card and the innovative Visa Commercial Pay Virtual Card Platform, businesses can exercise greater control over employee-initiated expenses and payments, thereby enhancing visibility and operational efficiency.

Commenting on the collaboration, Moses Muthui, Consumer Banking Director at Absa Bank, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The collaboration between Absa Bank Kenya, Visa, and the Kenya Association of Travel Agents marks a significant milestone in our efforts to empower businesses and accelerate digital inclusion in this space with smarter and integrated payment solutions.”

Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa Kenya Country Manager, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the partnership’s commitment to innovation and service excellence. She emphasized, “By combining Visa’s global reach and advanced technology with Absa’s deep local market expertise, we are confident that this new payment solution will significantly enhance the way travel agents manage their transactions, providing them with a seamless, efficient and secure experience.”

Nicanor Sabula, CEO of KATA, lauded the collaboration, affirming its importance in catering to the specific needs of members and underscoring the commitment to industry-focused financial solutions.

From left: Dr. Joseph Kithitu, KATA Chairman; Moses Muthui, Consumer Banking Director, Absa Bank; James Kabuthi, Head of Products and Solutions, East Africa, Visa at the Launch of the Corporate Cards for Travel Agents

The Absa Corporate Visa Card offers a range of features including virtual and physical card options, granting customers the flexibility to adapt to various payment scenarios. Furthermore, it integrates seamlessly with Visa Commercial Pay, facilitating hassle-free payments to travel suppliers such as airlines and hotels while streamlining reconciliation processes.

With the launch of the Absa Corporate Visa Card, Absa Bank Kenya reiterates its dedication to innovation and excellence in client service. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships, the bank continues to deliver solutions that resonate with the evolving needs of businesses in Kenya and beyond.

New entry rules hurting Kenya’s tourism – travel agents.

Kenya stands to lose on international visitors despite the government’s visa-free initiative, travel agents have cautioned.

This is as a result of a “tedious” process in the acquisition of the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which replaced the visa requirement in January.

Most affected are those initially exempted from obtaining an entry visa, the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has said, where there were at least 41 countries whose citizens were allowed to visit Kenya visa-free, including the East African Community member states.

While the government has removed the visa requirement for all, most of the countries that enjoyed visa-free access have been thrown back to the eTA platform, with their citizens required to pay the $30 processing fee.

Industry players are concerned that the eTA introduced fresh costs and paperwork, with travelers also required to share proof of air ticket and hotel booking.

When applying for the eTA, the traveler must provide their arrival and departure dates.

Persons holding previously issued e-visas, including East Africa travel visas are however exempted from the requirement of applying for eTA.

“Countries that were allowed visa-free into the country have been impacted as they have to undergo the tedious process and payment. This is the segment that we must address otherwise we could lose out,” KATA chief executive Nicanor Sabula told the Star.

He spoke on the sideline of the inaugural two-day Kenya Travel Industry Payments Summit in Nairobi, which has brought together industry players, fintechs and other players in the payment landscape, to explore the intersection between payments and the travel industry.

According to KATA, there is a need for the government to simplify the process and reduce the requirements, especially on the paperwork (required online submissions).

“The effect and impact is not what we had anticipated as a market and therefore our call to the government is that can we facilitate and make it easier for people to travel to Kenya. We need to tweak it and lessen the process. Find a mechanism that will make the process easier,” Sabula said.

Tanzania for instance issues visas on arrival with lesser requirements, KATA noted.

The travel agents’ lobby has also raised concerns over the “unpredictable” tax environment in the country, which it says is impacting the industry.

“We sale travel in advance sometimes up to one year early so every time there is a change in the taxation framework, that affects the costs of our products. It means we have to bear that cost or when we pass it to the client, they complain as they feel cheated,” Sabula said.

Meanwhile, the association is pushing for a wider adoption of the latest payment systems including cryptocurrency, to ensure Kenya remains competitive in the fast-changing travel industry.

According to KATA chairman Joseph Kithitu, the industry is witnessing the convergence of technological innovations, changing consumer behaviors, and regulatory shifts that are reshaping the payments landscape not only in Kenya but across the globe.

“From traditional credit cards to a myriad of digital payment options, the expectations of travelers have evolved. We must adapt to these changing dynamics, ensuring that our payment systems meet the evolving needs and expectations of our customers,” Kithitu said.

Source: The Star.