More than four months after reinstating commission for travel agents, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has cracked a whip on errant airlines who refuse to adhere to the rule. According to a report in Times of India, in a fresh letter issued to many international carriers, DGCA has asked for the implementation of its March order to pay a commission to travel agents instead of making the passengers pay.
The DGCA had, in March this year, made it mandatory for all airlines to pay commission to travel agents. This rule was passed after repeated protests from travel agents over the airlines’ policy of paying zero commission. But many carriers, like KLM, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, are still not following the March order.
“According to the order, the quantum of commission had to be decided after negotiation between the travel agents and airline officials. However, even after repeated attempts, there was no response or move on part of airlines to sit across the table,” said Rajesh Rateria, Managing Director, Cirrus Travels. |