BSP is a system designed to facilitate and simplify the selling, reporting and remitting procedures of IATA Accredited Passenger Sales Agents, as well as improve financial control and cash flow for BSP Airlines.
A truly worldwide system: there are BSP operations in some 180 countries and territories. The system currently serves more than 370 participating airlines with an on-time settlement rate of 99.999%. In 2017, IATA's BSP processed $236.3 billion.
Benefits of a BSP
Simplification
- Agents issue one sales report and remit one amount to a central point
- Airlines receive one settlement covering all agents
- Simplifies and reduces work through the use of electronic ticketing on behalf of all BSP Airlines
- Agents’ sales are reported electronically
Savings
- Less resources required for billing and collection
- Electronic distribution of billing reports and generation of debit/credit memos (ADMs/ACMs) via BSPlink
Enhanced Control
- Increased financial control thanks to centralization and grouping
- Consolidated document flow, permitting accelerated quality controls
- Overall process monitoring by a neutral body
A BSP is the central point through which data and funds flow between travel agents and airlines. Instead of every agent having an individual relationship with each airline, all of the information is consolidated through the BSP.
Agents make one single payment to the BSP (remittance), covering sales on all BSP Airlines. The BSP makes one consolidated payment to each airline, covering sales made by all agents in the country/region.
Agents are provided with a range of electronic ticket numbers to be used for sales on any airline.
Working processes for Agents
1. Preparation to sell on behalf of airlines
Before an agent can begin selling on behalf of airlines, the following must take place:
- A range of electronic ticket numbers are assigned to the Agent.
- The Airline assigns ticketing authority to the Agent to allow issue of ETs.
- Agents need to have access to an IATA-approved ticketing system such as a Global Distribution System (GDS).
2. Reporting by Agents
The agent reports all sales and refunds at the end of the reporting period. This is done electronically, through BSPlink. All transactions are forwarded to a central BSP Data Processing Centre (DPC).
3. Processing by BSP
The Data Processing Centre:
- Captures the tickets and refunds information from data files that have been transmitted by the GDS/ticketing system or other automated system such as BSPlink.
- Processes all relevant data and produce an “Agents Billing Analysis” for each agent. This analysis is compiled from the information of one or more reporting periods.
- Forwards a statement of sales made by Agents to each BSP Airline. This statement is compiled from the information of one or more reporting periods.
- Monitors ET ranges and provide replenishment as necessary.
4. Payment
The Agent makes just one net remittance covering all its BSP transactions for that period for all BSP Airlines. The BSP preferred method of payment is by direct debit.
5. Follow up by Airlines
The accounting department of each airline audits incoming data and addresses debit/credit accounting memoranda (ADM/ACM) to agents as necessary.
Participation in a BSP
Airlines
Participation in a BSP is open to all airlines (IATA members and non-members) serving the country or area concerned.
IATA Accredited Agents
All IATA Accredited Agents in the BSP country of operation are automatically eligible for participation in a BSP. When a new BSP commences operations in a country, all Agents are notified by IATA and invited to participate.
General Sales Agents (GSAs) and Airport Handling Agents (AHA)
GSAs and AHAs may participate in a BSP (in the same way as Accredited Agents), on nomination by the airline they represent, and subject to the airline entering into a standard agreement.
To obtain the local participation criteria and conditions, please contact customer service for your region
