Will the global distribution systems be able to handle Electronic Miscellaneous Documents to settle ancillary-services transactions when ARC launches EMD capabilities for airlines in the Fall? Sabre is indicating, yes, it will be ready.
That indication came in the form of announcement that Sabre introduced its first EMD capability with Latin America carrier Avior Airlines.
The airline's use of Sabre EMD Manager enables Avior to transition to an electronic environment for optional services, including bag fees and refunds.
But, so far, Sabre is only rolling out EMD capabilities to airlines, such as Avior, which are hosted by Sabre for their internal reservations systems.
Sabre says future phases of its EMD rollout would facilitate the electronic settlement of ancillary services to airlines which are not hosted by Sabre, as well.
And, this would enable travel agents hooked up to the Sabre GDS to get access to airlines' optional services so the agents would be able to offer them to their clients.
The big question, though, is how many airlines will choose to adopt EMD capabilities, and whether some may shun EMDs so they might retain optional services for their own channels.