THE number of agents with an International Air Traffic
Association licence has nose-dived since the beginning of the year as the trade
looks to protect costs.
According to the airline regulator’s
figures, 3,000 agencies now hold licences – 200 fewer than in December last
year.
An IATA spokesman blamed the decline on agencies
tidying up their administration and companies going out of business.
But ABTA aviation board director Sandy MacPherson said
the drop was due to costs.
He told Travel Weekly: “It is pretty onerous to comply
with the requirements to get hold of an IATA licence and agencies are looking
at these costs in relation to the commissions they receive from airlines.
“In most cases, it’s not worth it commercially,
especially in light of recent developments. It’s a practical thing, not a
disenchantment with IATA.”
To qualify for an IATA licence, agencies have to
comply with certain levels of staff training, security arrangements and funds.
MacPherson added that many in the trade decided not to
renew their licence once IATA rules stated agencies must be able to sell on an
automated basis earlier this year.