Travel agents move court against airlines

Mumbai: Travel agents have once again moved court against 16 foreign airlines that are not paying them commissions due on ticket sales, and have asked India’s civil aviation regulator to intervene on their behalf.
The Iata Agents Association of India, or IAAI, a lobby group of 600 travel agents from across the country, recently filed a contempt case in the Kerala high court against the 16 carriers for failing to pay them a 5% commission, as ordered by the court in July 2009.
The court had then asked the ministry of civil aviation and regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure that the payment was made.
Following the order, DGCA directed the airlines in March to pay the commission, saying it was rightful remuneration. But the airlines are yet to comply, said IAAI.
“In stark defiance, the 16 airlines have not cared to follow the (DGCA) directive,” IAAI president Biji Eapen wrote in a letter dated 13 May to S.N.A. Zaidi, the director-general of civil aviation. Mint has reviewed this letter.
The association now wants DGCA to apprise the court about the situation.
“The high court will reopen next week after the annual vacation and it is expected that the contempt of court case will be disposed (of) as soon as the DGCA compliance report is submitted,” Eapen said.
18/05/10 P.R. Sanjai/Live Mint

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Categories: Foreign May 2010, Indian Aviation- In General May 2010