Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)

Another record year at ARC Payments Forum. More than 160 attendees from 70 companies came together in Austin to discuss the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping travel payments. In her latest blog, Jennifer Watkins recaps key conversations from the event, including discussions around fraud and chargebacks, data quality, alternative forms of payment and the industry's transition toward offers and orders. What could this mean for the future of airline retailing and payments? Let's continue the conversation: https://bit.ly/4uYqrbd.

Qatar Airways is the latest airline to activate Multiple Forms of Payment (MFOP) through ARC. MFOP gives travel agencies greater flexibility when processing GDS EDIFACT transactions by allowing more than one payment method within a single transaction for sales, exchanges and refunds. Congratulations, Qatar Airways!

🎉 U.S. travel agency air ticket sales reached $10 billion in April, a 15% year-over–year increase. See more insights from April 2026: https://bit.ly/4uN3Eio. Steve Solomon notes, “We have another month of data demonstrating that traveler demand remains strong. Ticket prices and continued geopolitical uncertainty are not leading to a decline in the number of passenger trips.” #ARCdata 

Jennifer Watkins is speaking at the Airline & Travel Payments Summit (ATPS) in Dublin next week, continuing the conversation around payments, fraud prevention and the growing role of AgenticAI in travel. On behalf of Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), Jennifer is taking part in discussions that bring together perspectives across payments, loyalty and risk. We look forward to attending events like ATPS to reflect how the travel ecosystem continues to evolve and where focus is shifting next. Day two session information: When: Wednesday, May 20, 3 p.m. Description: Are our current payment systems future proof? Currently, they work – but can they keep up with all the changes that AI might bring? Moderator: – Laurie Gablehouse, Founder & CEO, Pay Fly Stay Panelists: – Stephen Baxendale, Technology Partnership Manager, Advantage Travel Partnership – Annemarie Graham, SVP Partnerships, XanderPay – Jennifer Watkins, Director of Payments, ARC – Simon Hunter, Director Agentic Commerce, Signifyd Ai Events | Airline Information

📣 An industry first: SAS - Scandinavian Airlines is the first airline to activate Multiple Forms of Payment (MFOP), expanding flexibility for travel agencies and customers processing GDS EDIFACT transactions through ARC’s settlement platform. Shelly Younger, ARC’s Head of Offers and Settlement, notes, “SAS’s adoption of MFOP gives agencies and travelers more choice while improving the accuracy and efficiency of settlement and reporting.” Read our announcement: https://bit.ly/48Vu8Gg

ARC strongly supports GBTA Foundation efforts to develop the talent that will shape the future of travel. ARC leaders Kristen Ebersole and Hansini Sharma Woodbury will speak at GBTA Ladders Summit, Season 12, in Charlotte, May 19-21. Looking forward to a great event!

ARC recently hosted the Travel Executive Council, bringing together leading agency and airline partners to strengthen relationships, exchange perspectives and recognize industry excellence. Discussions focused on emerging trends shaping the future of travel, including AI, offers and orders and the evolving airline retailing landscape. Collaboration across the industry remains essential to building a more connected, innovative and resilient future for air travel. 

ST BARTH EXECUTIVE (LE/159) has joined ARC as a participating airline. Welcome! Review the complete list of ARC participating airlines: https://bit.ly/4sHprr8.

Looking ahead to the GBTA | New England May Chapter Meeting at Boston Logan International Airport. ARC’s Sarah Stoneham Boyd, Principal of Airline Retailing Solutions, will share her perspective on how airline retailing continues to evolve through offers and orders, and what that means for corporate travel. The agenda also includes sessions with Ed Freni (Massachusetts Port Authority) and Michael Iudice (Transportation Security Administration (TSA)), offering a broader look at airport operations and the traveler experience. Thank you to GBTA New England for bringing this program to the Boston community! GBTA | Global Business Travel Association

On the final day of the 27th GAFPG Meeting in Madrid, conversations continue around airlines fraud prevention, chargeback mitigation and risk management. Cornelius Hattingh is there on behalf of Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), taking part in discussions with airlines, partners and payment providers. Thank you to the Global Airline Fraud Prevention Group for organizing such an engaging event.