In The Big Chair LIVE – Mike Premo of ARC

A coalescence of technological developments and consumer demands is spurring change in the airline industry.

IATA’s New Distribution Capability standard, blockchain, mobile technology and consumers’ desires for more choice in air travel shopping and booking have become catalysts for innovation and collaboration across industry stakeholders.

One of those players is ARC – known originally as Airlines Reporting Corporation – which has been providing air ticket transaction settlement services for 35 years.

For nearly a decade, the organization has been led by Mike Premo, who began his career as a reservation agent for Northwest Airlines.

In December 2020, Premo will retire and executive vice president and chief operating officer Lauri Reishus will become CEO.

At The Phocuswright Conference in November, Premo sat down to discuss airline industry innovation and some of ARC's recent activities, including investments in Blockskye and Traxo, and why the transition to an omnichannel view – rather than its traditional focus on airline-travel agency settlement – is so critical and why there is still much work to be done.

He also reflects on his career and offers advice to those just entering the industry.