| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 30/04/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 1 |
| Copyright: Other |
Jeans brands agents ‘lemmings’
RYANAIR sales and marketing director Tim Jeans has branded agents “lemmings” for their support of ABTA’s legal challenge against the carrier – and has suggested they “jump off a cliff”.
In a letter to Travel Weekly, Jeans said he relished the chance to take on ABTA in the courts over the £330,000 in unpaid commission the carrier allegedly owes on Passenger Service Charges.
“We will happily meet them anytime, anywhere and look forward to doing so,” he blasted.
“We will happily take on ABTA and welcome the opportunity to highlight the role it has played in anti-consumer drives, including handling fees and threatened boycotts of low-fare carriers.”
Jeans insisted Ryanair’s Internet sales policy has the support of the public because it has brought down air fares. He stressed only travel agents that decide to work with low-cost carriers will survive.
“The days of agents whingeing about 5% commission are over,” he said. “If you don’t like it, don’t sell it.”
Jeans was due to address 700 agents at the Advantage Travel Centres conference in Killarney last weekend.
* See Comment, page 8 and Letters, pages 10-11