FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - How to correct IATA incorrect information.
Old Aug 19, 2021 | 4:39 am
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the810
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Originally Posted by HkCaGu
IATA's Timatic system is the authoritative database for visa/entry requirements. If Russia indeed has no such restriction, its government unit in charge of updating Timatic has failed to send updates to Timatic. Nothing other airlines can do if they don't even fly directly to Russia.
Governments don't send data to Timatic. It's IATA's job to keep it update by going through local laws and regulations and sadly they often do a terrible job. There have been many instances of airlines wrongly denying boarding based on outdated / imprecise Timatic data but unfortunately most passengers won't claim the denied boarding compensation (if it happens in the EU), so there is very little incentive for airlines to take their time and double check in case of a dispute.

One thing that helps in my experience is flying on an airline that is based in a country you travel to. That way if you escalate things to a supervisor or manage to get the check-in stuff to contact the airline itself, you are more likely to eventually reach someone who understands the rules. Also, agents working for that airline may be more aware of some nuances the rules have.
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