Simplified Interline Settlement - Frequently Asked Questions

There is no confirmed date set for launch yet. SIS is still being planned, but it is expected that carriers will begin pilot testing in Q2 2010 and the system will be available for general migration in Q3 2010.

One of the key features of IS is that a billing carrier will send only a billing file, which will then be used to create the settlement and invoice files, ensuring the ability for the billed carrier to reconcile the data. As such, the ICH will only accept settlement files from the IS solution and not from airlines, meaning that IS must be used for settlement through the ICH. It is expected that the ACH will adopt the same process as a standard.

The central file repository will archive data for as long as it’s needed for operational purposes. It will not be a legal archive, which is the responsibility of the carrier. The term “operational purposes” is tricky, because it depends on what the data is being used for. For example, supporting documents for a rejection will be kept for seven months - five month rejection period plus two months of safety - unless that rejection is rejected. In that case, IS will keep the original data for an additional seven months. This process would continue for correspondence.