IATA uploads new website with vital airline information

Shirajiv Sirimane

Launch: The official website of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) agents association of Sri Lanka, (www.iata-agents.lk) was launched in Colombo last week to bring the country in line with many other developed countries.

Chairman Civil Aviation Authority Parakrama Dissanayake said that this is a landmark website, as it would provide vital information. "The website would also give a view of Sri Lankan airline activities to the world," he said.

Chairman Tourist Board Renton de Alwis, while commending the IATA agents for launching this website said

 that it would help Lankan Travel agents to get linked to the world. "This is a step taken in the right direction," he said.

President of the Association, Dino De Fonseka said this website contains vital information starting from the history of IATA, latest news on airlines and operation billing and settlement plans, three global distribution systems and electronic ticketing.

"We would add more as when required and run it as a very active site," he said.

The website provides information on diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka, travel agency bodies in the world, visa services, general sales agents and a notice board for members to express their views.

Head of worldwide passenger sales at Sri Lankan Airlines Manoj Gunawardene said that travel agents have to adapt to new technical changes that are in the Internet.

Tomorrow travel agency will need to give the buyer one or more of three values that they seek. Either they have to be better informed or specialised or have a new approach to the market.

Mixing internet into the way travel agency contacts clients is one aspect of this new approach.

It's the travel agents who can give the best comparison information, expert advise, save money, time and trouble.