EIGHT out of 10 travel agents claim they are now switch-selling
from British Airways following the introduction of its payment scheme, the
Fresh Approach.
A Travel Weekly poll of 130 retailers up and down the
country showed most are not having any problem persuading their clients to
travel with rival airlines.
Most agents say they are acting in protest at BA’s new scheme,
launched on April 1, which replaces 7% commission with flat-level sector
payments.
BA head of UK and Ireland sales Tiffany Hall agreed some
agents would switch-sell, but said the majority of “key trade partners have
been supportive”.
She said: “There are a minority of agents who have
threatened to boycott BA, but we anticipated that. So far the launch of Fresh
Approach has been very successful.”