Iata launches Timatic2

IATA has launched Timatic2
after decommissioning
Timatic on March 31.
Timatic2 is available
through Iata’s website and
Amadeus in the Amadeus
Platform Classic and
Amadeus Selling Platform
Connect 20.1. But unlike
Timatic, travel agencies
have to pay an annual fee
of €499 (R7164) for up
to 500 transactions and a
fixed fee per transaction on
a sliding scale thereafter to
use it through Iata’s website.
To use it through Amadeus,
agents pay an annual fee of
€149 (R2139) for up to 200
transactions and a fixed fee
per transaction on a sliding
scale thereafter.
Jannine Adams, senior
marketing manager of
Amadeus Southern Africa,
says travel agencies have
to enter a contract with Iata
and get login details in order
to access the content on
Timatic2.
According to Michelle
Boshoff, gm central
services of Pentravel, the
main benefit of Timatic2
is that it allows for a more
detailed description of each
passenger and their journey,
which promotes more
accurate results. Michelle
says Timatic2 is also good
for queries regarding foreign
passport holders.
Michelle says Timatic2 is
detailed in the sense that
it asks for a passenger’s
transit dates and times,
passport type and the
purpose of their trip. It also
provides useful information
such as airport, customs,
currency and health updates
in different countries.
That aside, Michelle feels
travel agents should not rely
on Timatic2 as their only
source of visa information.
“Sometimes we have to refer
complex queries directly to
the consulates of certain
countries.” Mary Shilleto,
ceo of Thompsons Travel,
agrees and stresses that
TMCs cannot afford to slip
up on one bit of detail when
it comes to visa information
and foreign passports.