CCI admits agents' complaints against airlines

New Delhi: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has admitted travel agents' complaint against 16 large airlines for switching over to zero commission basis. During the slowdown, airlines had switched over to this model but following opposition from agents, some like Indian full service carriers reverted to the commission system while others did not.
Travel agents, under various fora, moved courts and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to get the airlines to start paying commission but to no avail. Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) president Rajji Rai said: "The case filed by TAAI in CCI against airlines has been admitted by it. CCI has also submitted its investigation report and directed all airlines like Lufthansa, Continental, KLM, Swiss, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, North West and Austrian to submit their comments on its investigation report within 15 days and thereafter appear before the CCI on March 3, 2011... We'll continue in our endeavour to restore our rightful commission from foreign airlines in India."
When airlines stopped paying commission, agents drew up a hefty fee plan for sale of tickets. However, this was withdrawn under public pressure. "Small agents have to earn something and levy a reasonable charge over ticket fares of these airlines. There is no uniformity. Agents sell tickets on airlines' behalf, give credit to passengers and yet are getting nothing from 16 big players," said a travel agent.
15/02/11 Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2011