ARC JULY STATS SHOW IMPROVEMENT IN FARES AND SALES

Arlington, VA, August 14, 2003 - Total sales processed by ARC in July 2003 increased one percent over the same month last year - the first such increase since November 2002.  In another first since November, total fares settled by ARC in July increased in comparison to July 2002.

"As the settlement engine for the vast majority of air travel sales, ARC is pleased to report last month's increases in total sales and total fares processed," said ARC President and Chief Executive Officer, David Collins, CTC.  "I look forward to further positive developments for the travel industry in the future."

Total fares increased by 3 percent in July as compared to July 2002.  Domestic fares increased by 5 percent, while international fares fell by 2 percent.

Also in July, e-ticketing reached a new milestone: e-tickets accounted for 83.26 percent of transactions processed by ARC, the highest monthly percentage to date.  The previous high was 82.10 percent in April.

"E-ticketing has changed the way most tickets are issued and delivered, helping travel agencies and air carriers reduce costs," said Collins.  "ARC is pleased to offer settlement services that facilitate and encourage e-ticketing.  Most recently, ARC enhanced its reporting tool for agencies to link it directly to air carriers' e-ticket databases, thereby minimizing errors related to the voiding of e-tickets."

Archived copies of ARC's monthly statistics are available at www.arccorp.com/news/news_sales_doc_stats.html.