The Hindu Business Line : Reinstate travel agency commission: IATA agents

The IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), which is spearheading its agitation against the abolition of travel agency commission by airlines, has chalked out an action plan for December to get the eligible five per cent commission inclusive of fuel surcharge.

The managing committee of the association which met in Kochi last week had decided not to sell or promote any zero airlines, which included Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher etc. effective December.

Mr Biji Eapen, President of the Association, said that they would be submitting representations to the petition committees of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha requesting to reinstate the legitimate commission of five per cent inclusive of the fuel surcharge.

The last date to submit signatures to the Central Secretariat would be December 8.

Parliament march

It was also decided to hold a Parliament march on December 15 to coincide with the commission issue, which will be raised in the Parliament on that day. IAAI has also organised a massive meeting of travel agents at the Constitution Club in New Delhi and requested all travel agencies to close their offices on that day to express solidarity and support.

IAAI, through the MPs, has also sought an appointment with Mr Praful Patel, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, to discuss the issue. If the outcome of the meeting is not favourable, the association has asked the agents’ fraternity across India to down their shutters till the commission is restored, Mr Eapen said.

There were also plans to file for IATA Arbitration to reinstate the legitimate right of agents for remuneration as per the IATA Resolution 824.9 contained in the Passenger Sales Agency (PSA) Agreement, he said.