CTA Travel Technology & Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'NDC' (New Distribution Capability) enable that traditional GDS distribution cannot?
- Faster ticket issuance processing speeds
- Rich content and ancillary offers directly from airline APIs (Correct answer)
- Automatic refunds without agent intervention
- Multi-currency pricing across all routes
Correct answer: Rich content and ancillary offers directly from airline APIs
NDC is an IATA XML-based standard that allows airlines to distribute rich content, personalized offers, and ancillaries directly through API connections.
Question 2: A hotel's Central Reservation System (CRS) connects to which system to make inventory available to travel agents through GDS channels?
- Property Management System (PMS)
- Revenue Management System (RMS)
- Global Distribution System (GDS) via a switch or interface (Correct answer)
- Channel Manager only
Correct answer: Global Distribution System (GDS) via a switch or interface
Hotels use a switch or direct interface to connect their CRS to GDS platforms, making rates and availability visible to travel agents worldwide.
Question 3: What is a 'low-fare search' feature in a GDS primarily used for?
- Comparing hotel loyalty program benefits
- Identifying the lowest available airfare across multiple dates or routing options (Correct answer)
- Searching for last-minute cruise cabin upgrades
- Finding group airfare contracts for parties over 10
Correct answer: Identifying the lowest available airfare across multiple dates or routing options
Low-fare search functions allow agents to query a GDS for the cheapest available fares across a date range or itinerary flexibility options.
Question 4: In travel technology, what is a 'rate desk' or 'rate loading' function?
- A tool for calculating agent commissions automatically
- The process of loading negotiated or contracted rates into a GDS or booking system (Correct answer)
- A customer-facing pricing comparison feature
- A hardware terminal used before computerized systems
Correct answer: The process of loading negotiated or contracted rates into a GDS or booking system
Rate loading refers to the process by which airlines, hotels, or TMCs enter negotiated corporate or consortium rates into GDS and other distribution platforms.
Question 5: Which IATA standard format is used for exchanging airline timetable and schedule data between airlines and systems?
- PNR format
- SSIM (Standard Schedules Information Manual) (Correct answer)
- BSP format
- AIRIMP format
Correct answer: SSIM (Standard Schedules Information Manual)
SSIM is the IATA standard governing the exchange of schedule data, slot coordination, and minimum connection times between airlines and airport/system operators.
Question 6: What is the function of a 'mid-office' system in a travel management company's technology stack?
- It provides the customer-facing booking website
- It processes transactions between the GDS front-end and back-office accounting systems (Correct answer)
- It manages hotel loyalty program enrollments
- It handles airline complaint resolution workflows
Correct answer: It processes transactions between the GDS front-end and back-office accounting systems
Mid-office systems bridge the gap between GDS booking data and back-office financial reporting, handling quality control, policy compliance checks, and data enrichment.
Question 7: When an airline sends a 'schedule change' notification through the GDS, what action is typically required of the travel agent?
- Automatically reissue the ticket at no charge to the client
- Review the change, notify the passenger, and accept or find an alternative if the change is unacceptable (Correct answer)
- Cancel the booking immediately and rebook on a different carrier
- Submit a waiver request to the airline's revenue department
Correct answer: Review the change, notify the passenger, and accept or find an alternative if the change is unacceptable
Agents must review schedule changes, contact affected passengers, and either accept the new schedule or work with the airline to find acceptable alternatives.
CTA Travel Technology & Systems 3
What does 'NDC' (New Distribution Capability) enable that traditional GDS distribution cannot?