BRITISH Airways has embarked on a long-term review of its
deed of undertaking with consolidators as part of moves by the carrier’s bosses
to save cash.
Currently BA takes responsibility for flying people home
if a consolidator authorised to sell its flights goes bust. But the economic
crisis suffered by airlines in the wake of last month’s attacks on the US has
forced the industry to reduce its liabilities.
The carrier is now looking at a long-term plan to transfer
the cost of supporting consolidators to travellers by introducing a ‘consumer
levy’.
To improve cash-flow in the short term, BA is introducing a
week-long ticketing deadline for consolidators from November 1.
Retail sales manager Carol Dray said: “If a booking is not
ticketed within seven days of it being made, it will be cancelled.”
“This will help to reduce our liability and puts cash in the
bank quicker.”
BA rejected a proposal put forward last week by the
Association of Airline Consolidators, details of which Dray refused to reveal.
“The AAC proposal didn’t reduce our liability enough,” she
said.