Report by Steve Jones
RYANAIR has raised the stakes in the escalating Passenger
Service Charge feud with ABTA by threatening to sever all links with agents.
The carrier has warned Newman Street it will axe commission
completely if ABTA continues to chase the airline for more than £330,000 in
unpaid commission. ABTA has said it will pursue legal action to secure the
commission on behalf of agents.
In a fierce exchange of letters between the two sides,
Ryanair sales and marketing director Tim Jeans told the association the carrier
would “lead a campaign among airlines to reduce commission or simply stop working
with the trade”.
ABTA president Stephen Bath said Ryanair’s threat was “the
act of a bully, not a business”.