BRITISH Airways is facing flak from the trade over its
Christmas gift voucher promotion, which agents believe is the
latest attempt to bypass them.
The vouchers are only available through BA’s website, which
the trade says is anti-competitive and cuts off a valuable source of revenue.
ABTA aviation board director Sandy MacPherson said: “I
am very unhappy, it is not acceptable. Gift vouchers are a great way of
promoting extra business at Christmas and again agents are being cut out.”
MacPherson is seeking a meeting with BA sales
officials this week to thrash out the matter, but it is unlikely the promotion
will be altered as tickets went on sale on Friday. The offer will run until
December 21.
BA said it hasn’t included
agents in the promotion because it is a trial and designed to test market
demand.
Fifteen ‘Escape’ vouchers are available,
ranging from £59 for domestic fares to £3,999 for flights on Concorde to
Barbados.