Agents' Gandhigiri: Chewing gum gift for airline staff

Kolkata: In yet another unique form of protest against some airlines' decision to slash commission, travel agents on Tuesday presented boxes of
chewing gum to Singapore Airlines with the message, To keep your staff occupied'. Incidentally, chewing gum is banned in Singapore.
This is the third edition of Gandhigiri by the members of Travel Agents Federation of India, Travel Agents Association of India and IATA Agents Association of India.
In July, travel agents had presented the Jet Airways staff with samosas and sweets to protest against the airline's decision to scrap the 5% commission on tickets. In September, they presented rose bouquets to Kingfisher Airlines, which had done the same.
The protests led to the restoration of commissions, although the rate was reduced from 5% on the basic fare to 3% on the gross ticket price. While Jet Airways restored it on December 8, Kingfisher followed suit on December 11 and Air India on December 26.
With the national carrier relenting to Gandhigiri, the agents are planning to turn the ratchet on foreign carriers that have done away with commissions despite pleas from the fraternity. "From Tuesday, all agents have stopped selling Singapore Airlines tickets. The chewing gum is a stunt. But we hope the message will stick," said Anil Punjabi, chairman of TAFI's eastern region.
The agents are now demanding a 5% commission on the gross price of tickets from Singapore Airlines.
31/12/08 Times of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Foreign Dec 2008