Senior IATA Ticketing & Corporate Travel Specialist

About the Company

We are a rapidly expanding AI and IT firm focused on delivering innovative technology solutions to diverse businesses. Our growth necessitates recruiting a seasoned, meticulous, and driven Senior IATA Ticketing & Corporate Travel Specialist to join our team in Abu Dhabi.

Role Overview

This role involves establishing and managing our internal travel agency and corporate travel functions. This position demands more than basic reservation skills and requires in-depth practical knowledge of IATA ticketing, BSP operations, GDS platforms, airfare optimization, complex ticket handling, airline partnerships, and hotel contracting inclusive of global loyalty programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Secure optimal airfare combining price, flexibility, refundability, routing, baggage, corporate perks, and VIP traveler services worldwide.
• Manage PNR creation, fare pricing, ticket issuance and reissuance, refunds, ancillary services, seat assignments, special requests, and schedule changes through advanced GDS expertise.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with airline sales and account management, focusing on corporate agreements and commercial negotiations.
• Establish fruitful hotel contracting relationships especially with Marriott, IHG, Accor, Hilton, and Hyatt brands to secure competitive corporate rates and loyalty benefits.
• Support executive and frequent international travelers with last-minute bookings, changes, cancellations, upgrades, and emergency travel assistance.
• Apply commercial judgment on every booking, analyzing fare options, loyalty benefits, and channel efficiencies to maximize value.

Mandatory Qualifications and Skills

• Certification and hands-on experience in IATA airline ticketing procedures, with 3-5 years minimum international ticketing practice at an IATA-accredited travel agency.
• Proficiency in BSP and BSPlink operations, airline ticketing authority, ADM/ACM management, and BSP reporting.
• Advanced command of at least one major GDS system, preferably Amadeus, with comprehensive ticketing and servicing capabilities.
• Expertise in airfare optimization strategies including published, private, negotiated, corporate, promotional fares, fare rules, multi-leg itineraries, and refund/change policies.
• Experience in airline commercial dealings, agency agreements, ticketing authority, corporate agreements, and sales support.
• Strong knowledge of global hotel programs, corporate negotiated rates, loyalty tier structures, qualifying stays, and booking channels.

Additional Requirements

• Experience serving VIPs and managing complex international travel demands adeptly.
• Commercial focus, capable of evaluating all relevant aspects of travel bookings.
• Excellent command of English; Arabic or other languages is a plus.
• Preferred background includes 5+ years in travel agencies, TMCs or airlines, particularly with UAE/GCC travel experience and corporate travel management.

Performance Metrics

• Airfare savings and reduction in ticketing errors and cancellations.
• Ticketing accuracy and timeliness.
• Success in managing disruptions for travelers and developing airline/hotel partnerships.
• Compliance with IATA/BSP regulations and internal policies.

Practical Assessment

Shortlisted candidates will undergo evaluations involving complex itinerary creation, fare pricing, ticket reissue and refund calculations, BSP processes, airfare optimization, disruption handling, and hotel corporate relationship strategies.

Data Privacy

Applicant information will be handled in compliance with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021, used strictly for recruitment purposes, secured carefully, and retained only as needed. Candidates have rights to access, correct, or delete their data via the company's HR department.