This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create flight itineraries and construct promotional or ‘special’ international airfares. It requires the ability to interpret flight information and conditions applicable to specific fares and to construct airfares that meet customer needs according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.

The unit applies to tourism or travel industry organisations that sell international airfares such as travel agencies, tour wholesalers, airlines and consolidators.

It applies to frontline sales and operations personnel who operate with some level of independence and under limited supervision. This includes travel consultants and managers, ticketing consultants, airline and consolidator ticketing officers, and reservations and operations consultants.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

create practical air itineraries and construct promotional international airfares to meet the requirements of eight different customers, including:

at least one adult and one child airfare

at least one airfare for travel to each of the following destinations:

New Zealand

USA/Canada

Europe

Asia

Africa

South West Pacific

South America

source information for the above itineraries and airfares using each of the following at least once across the eight customers:

computerised reservations system (CRS)

global distribution system (GDS)

information from airlines and consolidators

the internet

demonstrate correct application of the following types of calculations and checks in constructing each of the above airfares:

global indicators (GI)

local currency fares (LCF)

mileage system:

maximum permitted mileages (MPMs)

ticketed point mileages (TPMs)

extra mileage allowance (EMA)

excess mileage surcharges (EMS)

neutral units of construction or currency (NUC) conversion

interpret and document for each of the above customers:

information on international fares, fare rules, conditions applicable to specific fares, and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations

complete activities within commercial time constraints and deadlines determined by the customer or the organisation.

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

sources of information for:

international flights:

route maps

direct and connecting services

minimum connecting times (MCT)

airline codes

airport codes

international fares:

published fare types and classes

concession fares

promotional fares currently available

carrier fares with carrier-based routings

fare conditions

fare rules

global indicators

IATA areas

IATA regulations

IATA terminology and definitions

international airline terminology

payment and ticketing deadline

taxes, fees and surcharges

international fare conditions:

amendment fees

availability of:

any type of change to the air itinerary

changes to class of travel

change to name on ticket

refunds or credit notes in the event of cancellation

baggage allowance

cancellation charges

excess baggage charges

extensions to ticketing deadline

payment deadline

restricted articles in baggage

ticketing deadline

content and format of information provided by airlines and consolidators:

fare schedules

flight schedules

published fares

special bulletins

websites

key elements of and procedures for advanced fare calculations and checks involving:

compliance with indirect travel limitations rule

GI

identifying fare basis code and fare type code

journeys commencing outside the country of sale

LCF

mileage system:

EMS

EMA

MPMs

TPMs

NUC conversion

re-routing

formats used to calculate and record promotional international airfares:

the ladder and linear fare calculation methods.

Skills must be demonstrated in a tourism or travel business operation or activity that sells international airfares. This can be:

an industry workplace

a simulated industry environment set up for the purposes of assessment.

Assessment must ensure access to:

computers, software programs, printers, and CRS currently used in the tourism or travel industry to facilitate promotional international airfare calculations

current airline, consolidator and IATA documentation or computer data, such as published fares, schedules and bulletins outlining fares, rules, conditions and regulations

internet and email

storage for computer data

telephone

customers with whom the individual can interact; these can be:

customers in an industry workplace who are assisted by the individual during the assessment process; or

individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors; and:

have worked in industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.

Tourism

Tourism Sales and Operations