The IATA Agents’ Association of India is seeking withdrawal of a transaction fee scheme announced by Air India and restoration of the current 3 per cent commission.
According to some members of the association, consumers will not be willing to pay a transaction fee as they can book their tickets without paying that fee by using the airline’s Web site directly.
Mr V. L. Jaghannathan, General Secretary of the association, said travel agents contribute more than 75 per cent of Air India’s passenger load, both in the domestic and international sectors. “And, it’s unfair to reduce our commission to a paltry 1 per cent and ask us to charge transaction fee from the passenger.”
Quoting a DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) order dated March 5, 2010, he said charging transaction fee is illegal and commission is an integral part of the fare tariff.