IAAI in direct dialogue with airlines

With an aim to gather momentum in its fight to reclaim commission for agents, IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) has initiated talks with airlines to try and salvage the situation that is currently in limbo. This comes as a precursor to the Kerala Hi

Unwilling to give up the fight on behalf of all IATA agents in India, Biji Eapen, National President, IAAI (IATA Agents Association of India), has stated that the association has been approaching airlines directly in its effort to restart the dialogue on agent commission.

“We have approached many airlines and some of them are seriously considering rolling back commissions. We expect certain airlines to announce something on these lines in February 2015. At least five major airlines that fly domestic and international have given us a favourable response. We will then have to look at the modalities of the process,” he said.

Biji Eapen

Discussions with Jet

Eapen recently met officials from Jet Airways along with Girish G, President of IAAI (Kerala State Committee) and TU Shamsuddin, IPP, IAAI (Maharashtra State Committee) in Kochi. The trio met three officials from the airline: Rajeev Nambiar, VP (Sales), V. Raja, Regional Head, Sales (South) and

Muralidas Menon, General

Manager (Kerala).

“It was a red letter day on January 30, 2015 as a very fruitful discussion took place on the commission issue between us in Cochin. The Jet Airways team has promised to revert on the modalities after discussions with their IT and legal affairs departments on their return to Mumbai,” Eapen said in a statement.

This, he added, was a continuation to the talks held in Mumbai earlier that month. The DGCA order that came on March 5, 2010 and the MoCA order of September 16, 2013 that had favored IAAI’s claims on the legality of agency commission as opposed to a transaction fee formed the basis of the discussions.

Issues related to the laws mandating payment of commission, quantum, nomenclature and the modality of payment including the implication and application of the Aircraft Rule 1937, Rule 54 (A) for tariff and its breakup were discussed in detail. IAAI has also had a discussion with its legal consultant on matters related to aircraft rules and legal deliberations. Eapen was also seen deep in discussion with Essa

Sulaiman Ahmad, Vice President (India & Nepal) for Emirates Airlines on the sidelines of the recently concluded India International Travel & Tourism ( IITT) Exchange held in Mumbai.

Outlining his points, Eapen said, “We want commissions to be part of the basic fare. We are waiting for the court’s verdict on that in Kochi which can come anytime now. Of course, the per-

It was a red letter day on January 30, 2015 as a very fruitful discussion took place on the commission issue between us in Cochin. Jet Airways has promised to revert on the

modalities.

National President, IAAI

centage will have to be mutually decided since no court can interfere with that. Cargo airlines are still giving five per cent commission to agents so why not us?”