Mumbai: Over 3,000 travel agents across the country kept their businesses shut on Tuesday protesting alleged opaque airfare practices by airlines, and also demanded restoration of agency commission, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) claimed.
"The bandh was a big success as some 3,500 travel agents from across the country, including Mumbai and Delhi voluntarily did not work today in support of our demands," TAAI President Iqbal Mulla said in Mumbai.
Mulla said that along with 3,000 TAAI members, some of the outbound tour operators also kept their shutters down to show solidarity with the industry, which is facing difficulties due to the economic conditions.
Stating that the travel agents fight for "rightful commission" and bringing transparency in the fares will continue, Mulla said, "Now we have to prepare our next phase of action plan."
He, however, did not specify as to what would be the next step.
Alleging that air fare practices of airlines are opaque, the TAAI demanded that the airlines should bring transparency in airfares and also wanted the government to regulate airline fares in the interest of the consumers.
Besides, the association has also demanded restoration of agency commission, which is currently paid only to Air India and Jet Airways along with a few overseas carriers.
The travel agents' body has also opposed the government's move to unbundle air services and allowing airlines to charges for different services such as preferential seating, meals, snacks, drinks (except drinking water) and baggage.
All these services should be included in the ticket price, TAAI argues.
The Civil Aviation Ministry had, in 2011, barred airlines from charging extras for preferential seating, prompting low-fare carrier IndiGo and others to include this in a "special services" category.
"The bandh was a big success as some 3,500 travel agents from across the country, including Mumbai and Delhi voluntarily did not work today in support of our demands," TAAI President Iqbal Mulla said in Mumbai.
Mulla said that along with 3,000 TAAI members, some of the outbound tour operators also kept their shutters down to show solidarity with the industry, which is facing difficulties due to the economic conditions.
He, however, did not specify as to what would be the next step.
Advertisement
Besides, the association has also demanded restoration of agency commission, which is currently paid only to Air India and Jet Airways along with a few overseas carriers.
Advertisement
All these services should be included in the ticket price, TAAI argues.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Mega Block On Mumbai Local Route Today: List Of Services That Will Be Affected On CCTV, Cops Seen Planting Drugs On Man In Mumbai, Suspended After Probe X User Blames Google Maps For Missing Bengaluru To Mumbai Flight. See Post INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report "It's Mom, I Love You": Mother Of Israeli-American Found Dead In Gaza Video: Vadodara Animal Rescuers Tripling On Scooter - With A Crocodile Ukrainian Drones Target Oil Refinery, Power Plants In Moscow, Says Russia China Woman Fakes Miscarriages, Forges Medical Records To Claim Rs 7.8 Lakh Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.