Protest against S’pore Airlines will be a damp squib: experts

Air travel agents are planning a protest against Singapore Airlines tomorrow but experts think that's a futile exercise since the role of the agent will soon become insignificant

Protest against S'pore Airlines will be a damp squib: experts

Air travel agents are planning a protest against Singapore Airlines tomorrow but experts think that's a futile exercise since the role of the agent will soon become insignificant.

The change

Travel Agents' Federation of India (TAFI) and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) haveu00a0 now decided to escalate their agitation. Agents in Bangalore will protest at M G statue tomorrow and march towards Singapore Airlines' office.

u00a0But the Airlines is in no mood to negotiate with them as it is doing well with bookings at the counter.

"Agents may fade out in the near future. Despite agents suspending ticket sale, Singapore Airlines is doing well and travellers haven't stopped travelling by the Airlines," said one expert who preferred to remain anonymous.

Experts feel such protests indicate that we are heading towards a zero-commission era. "Like it or not, it's an era of zero guarantees," added Devesh. "Zero agency commission is part of it."

Airlines prefer to sell tickets online and that further makes agents dispensable.

"We firmly believe that the transaction fee model will result in a better choice for customers and an opportunity for agents to earn better remuneration for the better services they provide," said a Singapore Airlines spokesperson.

"We are focusing on online booking and bookings at our counter. The response is good. It is as normal as it was in the past," said another source in Singapore Airlines.

Agents' say

But agents don't think their role is shrinking. "We contribute 80 per cent of ticket bookings," said Asha, a travel agent. "They can't function without our support. And Singapore Airlines is affected."

And what do travellers have to say? "I prefer booking online," said Bopaiah, a regular air traveller. "It costs us more to book a ticket from an agent while online booking makes the process simpler, easier and cheaper."

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