Travel agents’ boycott of BA continues

Travel Agents and Tour Operators in Dubai suspended the sales of British Airways' products and services from their offices and branches from June 1, 2005. The decision was taken after a BA notification about reduction of commission from 7 to 5 percent.

"We are standing firm. All agents have suspended bookings," said Labib Jaroudi, Manager, DTTAG in an exclusive release to Khaleej Times.

The General Body Meeting of the Dubai Travel and Tour Agents Group (DTTAG) took place on Saturday.

"Accepting the reduction in commission would have been in direct contravention of the directives received from the Ministry of Communication and Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai," Labib Jaroudi remarked in a DTTAG release.

British Airways sent this notification in early May to all travel agents in the UAE. DTTAG claims that the Ministry of Communication and the Dubai Civil Aviation "confirmed a rejection of the circular by BA, thus consenting to the earlier basic commission of 7 per cent to remain in effect on international sectors."

According to the DTTAG release, the Ministry of Communication has formally notified a letter to BA on 1 June, thus confirming their resolution on the matter. British Airways remains tight-lipped on the issue. Steve Harrison, Area Manager, Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia made a statement saying, "British Airways is in discussion with travel agents."

While reiterating DTTAG's decision to continue with the suspension in sales of British Airways' products and services, Labib Jaroudi stressed that the travelling public will not be affected by this decision as members of DTTAG were offering alternate airlines to their clients.