Author: sipa

NewGen ISS

In November 2017, the Passenger Agency Conference adopted Resolution 812. This Resolution became effective 1st March 2018, and enables the implementation of NewGen ISS in a BSP. All BSP countries will progressively be migrated from the current Resolution 818g to the new Resolution 812. Please be advised that effective from 1st May 2019, BSP Hong Kong will be migrated to the NewGen ISS Agency Rules under Resolution 812. Macau will have a different implementation timeline and will communicate when confirmed. The new LFC for Hong Kong together with the sunset of ITF will be implemented together with NewGen ISS. The…

Transparency in Payments (TIP)

In November 2017, the Passenger Agency Conference (PAConf) adopted a set of resolutions, which will enable the implementation of Transparency in Payments (TIP). TIP is an industry initiative focused on providing Airlines with increased transparency and control in the collection of payments for their sales through the agency channel. At the same time, it will enable Agents to take advantage of new forms of payment (Alternative Transfer Methods) for the remittance of customer funds through the BSP. Please be advised that Resolution 896 will become effective in BSP Hong Kong & Macao on 01 February 2019. Consequently: Providers of Alternative…

Seminar on New Distribution Capability(NDC)

IATA has launched the New Distribution Capability(NDC) which is a travel industry-supported program (NDC Program). In order to provide more information for the member, SIPA and TIC are going to organize a seminar, with speakers from IATA, Amadeus Hong Kong Limited, Worldspan, Lufthansa and Cathay Pacific to introduce the details and concept of NDC. Come and join us to know more about NDC!!

Collection of Hong Kong Airport Passenger Security Charge

Please be informed that airlines have accepted our advice to rectify the collection of the Hong Kong Airport Passenger Security Charge (the Charge). Airlines will assign the tax code I5 for collection of the Charge in the Ticket Tax Box, with effect from 01 May 2017. Currently the Charge is collected as a Q surcharge in the fare ladder.

Airlines agree to fully refund Air Passenger Departure Tax (APDT) 航空公司同意全數退還飛機乘客離境稅 (離境稅)

There were cases reported by the SIPA members that a number of airlines did not refund the APDT in full to passengers. Having negotiated with the airlines concerned, SIPA successfully convinced airlines to rectify the inequitable practice in terms of withholding the refundable tax amount at airlines’ discretion. Airlines purport to collect airport and government taxes on behalf of the relevant authorities. It is not part of the air fare and airlines should refund in full the APDT to passengers in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation APDT Ordinance (Cap 140) Section 14 (1) via their ticketing agents for…

QR Reservation & Ticketing Policy

SIPA has received a number of feedback from members in respect of Agent Debit Memo (ADM) policy issued by Qatar Airways (QR) on repeating to book a segment or segments canceled four (4) times in one PNR or across different PNRs.We would like to remind that QR will issue ADM to debit agents who do not comply with this controversial requirement. Meanwhile SIPA is taking initiative to negotiate with QR for an acceptable solution. More deatils – Reservation Policy of QR:

Tickets on European Carriers

There were cases reported that European carriers issued ADM to debit agents for ticket issued at a lower round trip fare but actually flown for the first outbound sector one way only. Given that ticketing agent acts as fulfillment to provide ticketing support to its clients inclusive of sub-agents and corporate accounts and will not be able to ensure the traveler to complete the full itinerary as booked from time to time, we disagree airlines to hold the ticketing agent liable for the charge. For those members who have received ADM under similar accusation, please inform us immediately for taking…

The 25th Annual General Meeting Of SIPA

Dear All members, Please reminded that our AGM will be held on 10 JUL’15, details as below: Date: Friday, 10 July 2015Time: 16:00Venue: Macau Jockey ClubAddress: 1/F., Function Room, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong. For Preliminary notice & Agenda, please visit below linkage for your reference. 1. Preliminary Notice2. Agenda Thank you for your generous support to SIPA.