U.S. Travel Agency Air Ticket Sales Drop 3.4 Percent in First Quarter 2016 vs. 2015

Ticket Transactions Increase 4.5 Percent in Same Period vs. 2015

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC), the financial settlement link between
airlines and travel sellers, reported today that the consolidated dollar
value of airline tickets sold by U.S.-based travel agencies decreased
3.4 percent^* in the first quarter of 2016, compared to 2015,
totaling $23.3 billion vs. $24.1 billion. March 2016 ticket sales were
down 4.5 percent to $8.3 billion against the same month last year.
Ticket transactions increased 4.5 percent to 43.2 million in 2016 vs.
2015, pointing to the overall effect of lower airfares.

Electronic Miscellaneous Document (EMD)^** sales comprised
$8.3 million of the year-to-date sales vs. $3.1 million in 2015, and
$2.7 million of the March 2016 sales, compared to $1 million in March
2015. EMD transactions increased to 106,792 so far in 2016 vs. 23,745 in
2015.

More detailed information is available at https://www.arccorp.com/data.jsp.

About ARC:

ARC powers the U.S.-based travel industry with premier business
solutions, travel agency accreditation services, process and financial
management tools, and powerful data analytics. In 2015, ARC settled
$88.3 billion worth of carrier ticket transactions for more than 9,400
travel agencies with 13,000 points of sale. By providing world-class
business services and products, ARC enables participating agencies and
over 200 carriers to focus on what’s important—increasing their revenue.
Established in 1984, ARC is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. For
more information, please visit www.arccorp.com.

Notes for Editors:

*Ticket Sales

• Results are based on monthly sales data ending March 31, 2016, from
  12,798 U.S. retail and corporate travel agency locations, satellite
  ticket printing offices and online travel agencies.
• Results do not include sales of tickets purchased directly from
  airlines.
• Total sales are equal to the total amount paid for a ticket, which
  includes taxes and fees.

**Electronic Miscellaneous Documents (EMD)

• Includes fees for products and services such as upgraded seats,
  checked luggage, an unaccompanied minor, pet-in-cabin, etc.

©2016 Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC). All rights reserved.

Contacts

Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC)
Katie Murrin, 703-341-1004
kmurrin@arccorp.com