1

Multimodal transportation –

a practical approach 

Mike Muller Michael Gill

Head IATA

Interline & Intermodal Policy Senior Legal Counsel

2

In the beginning ….

door-to-door multimodal carriage

3

4

5

5

The Good Old Days

6

Multimodal international air transport

There is no single international liability treaty governing multimodal transportation for passengers or cargo

A patchwork of potentially applicable regimes exists from Warsaw Convention 1929 through to Montreal Convention 1999

In principle, the air carrier’s rules only apply to carriage by air

7

Multimodal international air transport

If the air segment is covered by international Convention, the parties can agree by contract that the conditions relating to other modes of transport apply to the surface segment

IATA has produced such provisions for the carriage of Passengers - Notice on back of coupon Cargo – Resolution 600b

8

Passengers

The Conventions provide that the carrier’s liability extends to accidents taking place «on board the aircraft or in the course of any of the operations of embarking or disembarking.»

Notice on back of coupon

OTHER TRANSPORTATION AND/OR SERVICES

Where this coupon is issued for transportation, or services other than air transportation, specific terms and conditions may apply. These terms and conditions may be included in the ticket set or may be obtained from the issuing company or agent.

9

Cargo

The Conventions provide that «Carriage by air does not extend to any carriage by land by sea or by inland waterway performed outside an airport.»

Surface shipments are presumed to be covered by the contract of carriage if they took place for the purpose of «loading, delivery or transhipment.»

Carriage by air means the period «during which the cargo is in the charge of the carrier. » 

10

Cargo

Resolution 600b - Notice appearing on the face of the air waybill:

«ALL GOODS MAY BE CARRIED BY ANY OTHER MEANS INCLUDING ROAD….» Section 9

«Carrier may use alternative….modes of transportation without notice…»

11

Cargo

Recommended Practice 1601 – Conditions of Carriage

Section 6.3.2 – Carrier is authorized to carry the consignment wholly or partly by any other means of surface transportation….

Section 11.11 – whenever the liability of the carrier is excluded or limited under these conditions, such exclusion or limitation shall apply when «….other means of transportation is used for Carriage»

12

Passenger Rights: greater transparency needed

13

The situation today: a proliferating mess…

Informal regime Formal regime Regime undefined

14

Passenger rights regulations

IATA has expressed concern regarding the proliferation of passenger rights regimes across the globe with over 55 domestic and regional regimes now in effect

Uncoordinated and extra-territorial passenger rights regulation causes confusion for passengers Example: Flying from the USA to Israel via Europe

presents three conflicting passenger rights regimes Most regimes ignore the existing international conventions on

air carriage

15

16

What does the customer expect?• A single “travel planner” for intermodal options (transparency

on timings, pricing and options)• One-stop shopping for all bookings• Single itinerary (include weather and special offers)• Single fare (pay in one currency and in one transaction)• Single ticket • Through-checking of bags• On-the-spot/on-the-go information• Single “Conditions of Contract” (disruption/recovery)• Integrated/harmonized “Passenger Rights”

Is this too much to ask?

17

17

Whatis likely in the short and medium term?

18

Short Term

Individual rail companies will pay for special insurance in order to be able to compensate passengers when their train is late or causes a missed connection at an airport

Example: Flytoget airport express train to Oslo airport

Transportation partners (for example rail and air) agree bilaterally to look after their multimodal passengers free of charge when there is a significant delay or disruption

Example: VIA Rail Canada and Royal Jordanian Airlines

19

Medium Term

Insurance companies will develop special products which can be tailored to the needs of passengers. Such products will link together the contracts of the various tickets which each form their own separate contract.

Example: Touring Club Suisse (TCS) provides stand-alone insurance which compensates you and members of your family if one of you falls sick and is unable to travel.

20

Conclusion

If you value extra protection for intermodal products – buy some!

21