STORY:
Travel Industry Passes Y2K Test

In an Associated Press report, travel agents and airlines say that computerized booking for Jan. 1, 2000 began without any problems, an indication that the industry's Year 2000 debugging efforts have been successful. No major difficulties were reported related to the possible inability of some computer systems to recognize the year 2000.

"Delta's computerized reservation systems are performing precisely as planned," said Charlie Feld, chief information officer for the Atlanta-based carrier told the AP.  At United Airlines in Chicago, the first reservations were booked shortly after midnight, and the system sailed on without problem. Like Delta, United and other airlines had been changing and testing their computer systems for months and were confident.

"We really felt we were ready," said spokeswoman Kristina Price, who estimated United has spent $70 million on its Year 2000 Project. "We think this was the first major milestone."

At least one carrier still isn't booking flights for Jan. 1, though. Ed Stewart, Southwest Airlines' director of public relations told the AP Southwest always leaves a four- to six-month lead time on bookings. "That's going to depend on the people in reservations," he replied, when asked when it will start taking Jan. 1 bookings. The computerized reservations systems used by major airlines and many car rental and other travel industry businesses display dates for sale only 331 days in advance. Thus, Thursday   February 4th became the first day to book travel for next Jan. 1.

Source: The Associated Press

DATE: 2/17/99

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