Iatas ICH Guide Simplifies Airline Reconciliation Dispute Resolution

This article provides an in-depth analysis of IATA Clearing House (ICH) reports, covering report acquisition, type explanations, practical applications, and dispute resolution. It aims to help readers master efficient reconciliation methods and improve financial management. Through this article, readers will be able to better utilize ICH reports for financial reconciliation, promptly identify and resolve issues, thereby creating greater value for their organizations. The analysis includes practical examples and actionable insights for effective use of ICH reports in aviation settlement processes.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Clearing House (ICH) has served as the backbone of aviation financial settlements since its establishment in 1947. With its unparalleled transaction processing capacity and exceptional settlement success rate, ICH remains the industry's most trusted financial infrastructure.

The Foundation of Aviation Settlements

ICH's operational metrics demonstrate its critical role in global aviation finance:

Transaction volume: Processed an average of $50+ billion annually (2016-2020), peaking at $62.5 billion in 2019
Network participation: 480+ active members including 320+ airlines and 160+ partner organizations
Settlement reliability: 99.997% success rate (2016-2020 average), achieving perfect 100% clearance in 2016, 2017, and 2021
Security standards: SOC2 certified for data protection and operational integrity

Accessing ICH Reports

Financial professionals can retrieve ICH reports through the IS-WEB platform:

Log in to IS-WEB
Navigate through Reports → Financial Controller → Access ICH Reports
Obtain access permissions from SIS superusers

Available in multiple formats (XML, Excel, CSV, ASCII, PDF), these reports provide both provisional data (pre-Advice Day) and finalized settlement information.

Key Report Types and Applications

Form 1: Statement of Invoices

This foundational document details all claims submitted during a clearing period, including debtor information, currency codes, invoice details, and converted amounts. The report exists in two variants:

Standard Form 1: Displays claims where the user is the creditor
Form 1 From Debtor: Shows claims where the user is the debtor

Form 2: Statement of Creditor Claims

Organizes claims by category (Passenger, UATP, Cargo, Miscellaneous) with detailed debtor and currency information. Like Form 1, it clearly indicates whether data is provisional or final.

Form 3: Statement of Balances

The comprehensive summary report showing net balances payable to or receivable from ICH. Provisional versions indicate non-finalized amounts, with final figures matching Advice message reports.

Reconciliation Tools and Dispute Resolution

ICH provides specialized tools for financial reconciliation:

F1 From Debtor + F3 reports: Rapid assessment of cleared debits/credits
Invoice Query Report: Advanced filtering by period, counterparty, category, and currency
Early Warning Report: Identifies discrepancies based on customizable tolerance thresholds
Call Day Adjustment Report: Tracks adjustment requests in both detailed and summary formats

Filing Protests

Members may dispute settlement outcomes through a structured process:

Access the ICH Protest and Adjustment module in IS-WEB
Specify search criteria to locate disputed invoices
Submit detailed comments and supporting documentation
Monitor request status through the Protest/Adjustment History interface

The system automatically notifies all relevant financial contacts for resolution tracking. With its comprehensive reporting suite and dispute mechanisms, ICH provides aviation finance professionals with the tools needed for accurate accounting and efficient financial operations.