AGENCY OWNER ARRESTED IN NEW YORK FOR ALTERING ARC TICKETS

Arlington, Virginia - November 30, 2004 - The owner and operator of a New York City travel agency was arrested on November 10, 2004 after ordering tickets from ARC-accredited agencies and altering them to make a profit.

Larissa Maltseva, of Spring Travel a.k.a. ITNC Travel Service (a non-ARC-accredited location), ordered tickets at infant and child prices and then physically altered the designation to adult. She then sold and delivered them to her adult customers at full price reaping an immense profit. The reservation information was also changed to mislead carrier personnel accepting the tickets for flight at the airports and to delay subsequent detection by carrier accounting departments. She now faces charges of second-degree Felony Grand Larceny, Felony Scheme to Defraud, and 11 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument.

The scam, which began in 2001, affected multiple airlines and ARC-accredited travel agencies in the New York City area as well as a number of passengers. ARC launched an investigation in July 2002 along with the help of the airlines, ARC travel agencies, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, resulting in Maltseva’s indictment and arrest.

Maltseva remains incarcerated under $75,000 bail. The case is being prosecuted by New York County Assistant District Attorney Joanne Siegmund for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

About ARC
ARC is the premier provider of financial settlement solutions and data and analytical services for the travel industry. Airlines, travel agencies, corporate travel departments, railroads, and other travel suppliers process more than $60 billion annually through ARC's world-class settlement system, making it the financial backbone of travel distribution. ARC COMPASS®, the leading, trusted source for travel transaction information, powers data and analytical tools that help ARC customers make confident business decisions. ARC is an airline-owned company that builds on values of integrity, teamwork, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and excellence. For more information, please visit http://www.arccorp.com.