IATA signs intermodal travel MoU with the International Union of Railways

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Union of Railways (UIC).

The agreement outlines each party will work to strengthen their cooperation in standard setting and interoperability initiatives, with a focus on data exchange standards supporting intermodal travel.

IATA and UIC will explore collaboration opportunities from the dual perspectives of existing distribution processes and standards, as well as transformative retail-based ‘offer-order’ processes and standards, under the MoU agreement. These efforts will offer significant opportunity for value-creation within intermodal partnerships.

Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of IATA, said: “For 75 years, IATA’s mission has included supporting and facilitating the development of the commercial standards that enable the smooth and efficient operation of a globally inter-connected air transport network. As customers increasingly seek sustainable travel options, it is important that providers work together to provide seamless exchanges of passengers and passenger information. IATA has extensive experience in facilitating standards development to support intramodality and our MoU with UIC is an important step toward strengthening this activity.”

IATA and UIC will focus on multiple areas for dialogue and cooperation around standards and interoperability, including:

• Journey planning and shopping
• Reservations and servicing 
• Ticketing – including irregular operations processes
• Industry coding – including location codes
• Check-in and validation control
• Accounting and settlement
• Legal aspects.

UIC Director General, François Davenne, said: “This MoU confirms the desire to really promote multimodality. Offering customers a single ticket for rail and air travel gives them the opportunity to choose the best of both worlds by optimising their journey as well as their carbon footprint. In addition, both IATA and UIC are currently developing tomorrow’s digital standards for ticketing applications: To work on established interfaces right from the design phase is an exciting prospect.”