Currently, agencies still charge 0,4 percent for each ticket
Iberia will stop paying the fixed commission it offered to travel agencies each time they issued a ticket for the company, starting January 1, 2008, announced the Spanish airline's sales director, Javier Alonso.
The announcement, made during the XVIII Congress of the Business Association of Travel Agencies (AEDAVE), which is taking place in the Colombian city of Cartagena de Indias until the 23rd, was rejected by the businessmen of the agencies, who have seen how in recent years the percentage they received for the sale of tickets has been reduced until disappearing.
Currently, agencies still charge 0,4 percent for each ticket, a basic commission that has been decreasing in recent years and which was at 9 percent ten years ago.
Alonso explained that the fixed commission is being eliminated so that this incentive becomes variable, depending on the type of fare and the destination, to prevent very cheap tickets from being taxed with a commission and to prioritize the sale of full fares.
"It doesn't represent a dramatic change and can be accepted," said Alonso, who acknowledged that only 15 percent of Iberia's ticket sales are made directly and the rest are acquired through distribution channels, among which online agencies have grown at the expense of traditional ones.
For his part, the president of Aedave, José Manuel Maciñeiras, criticized Iberia's decision and considered Iberia's attitude as "arrogant".
Maciñeiras stated that details are lacking to know how the elimination of the commission will affect the travel agency sector and asked for more details about the new commission.
"We don't know the economic impact of the measure," said Maciñeiras, who nevertheless acknowledged that some agencies that sell many expensive trips may see their profits improve, but not those of a medium type that offer other types of cheap trips.
The president of Aedave insisted that "Iberia's attitude is undeserved and shows little respect" towards travel agencies and pointed out that other companies will follow the example of the Spanish flag carrier and will also stop paying fixed commissions for the sale of airline tickets.
Any questions about this news?
Talk to Coexia, the AI of the foreign trade
International business service providers
Moldtrans
Grupo Moldtrans is a comprehensive logistics operator with extensive experience in land, air and sea transport.read more...
FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company. It offers a shipping service.read more...
AROLA
AROLA, through its various business areas, offers a comprehensive and customized logistics service.read more...
Pantoja Logistics Group
Pantoja Grupo Logístico is a 360° operator with 100% Spanish capital and family origins.read more...
DHL Express
DHL is the world leader in the logistics sector. DHL's divisions offer a portfolio of...read more...