October ARC Transactions Outpace Weak 2008

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October ARC Transactions Outpace Weak 2008

By Seth Harris

NOVEMBER 11, 2009 -- ARC transactions increased 5.13 percent in October compared with October 2008, marking the first time transactions have risen in more than a year, according to monthly reporting and settlement statistics released today. The increases, however, are more indicative of the stark drops in travel activity in October 2008 following the financial meltdown than any recent mass improvement in bookings.

ARC's October and third-quarter numbers are similar to those suppliers' figures that showed stark drops in late 2008 and improved recent year-over-year performance (BTNonline, Nov. 5).

In comparison to October 2007, when travel still showed growth, primarily on international trips, October 2009 transactions were 11 percent lower.

While October 2009 domestic transactions increased 4.63 percent and international transactions booked at the U.S. point of sale rose 6.6 percent, fare yields continued to be down year over year as carriers reduced ticket prices and ran leisure fare promotions in order to fill seats. October domestic fare volume decreased 4.72 percent from 2008. International fares decreased 1.3 percent.

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