Mumbai: The Supreme Court order banning a transaction fee on air tickets has not made air travel cheaper. Agents continue to collect what they now call a service fee from customers.
The agents contend the apex court order restricts airlines from charging a transaction fee but there is no ban on agents charging a fee for the services they render. Agents are now free to charge any amount for the service, as airlines have withdrawn the fee component in their fares.
In its order last month, the SC had said a transaction fee cannot be collected from passengers in any form until the civil aviation secretary takes a final decision on the issue. Last December, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had issued a circular restraining airlines from collecting a transaction fee in the fares, as it was not in consonance with the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
11/02/13 Business Standard
