Scottish agents’ association the SPAA hailed American Airlines’ decision to drop its threatened premium on bookings via GDSs Worldspan and Galileo after a members’ survey recorded “overwhelming dissatisfaction” with the carrier’s plans.
American Airlines is seeking to drive bookings via its own Direct Connect channel in order to cut the cost of distribution through GDSs and was poised to levy Agency Debit Memos against those booking via the GDSs.
The SPAA found 70% of members surveyed refusing to use American’s Direct Connect and 95% who said they would switch sales away from American or only book the carrier if demanded by a client.
SPAA vice-president Kevin Thorn said: “It’s hardly surprising American Airlines has shelved this regressive move. We are pleased to see common sense prevailed.
“American Airlines were attempting to force an unwanted and unnecessary solution on to customers, with a financial penalty for non-compliance.”
Thorn said the SPAA would “vigorously defend” access to “full, neutral and comprehensive inventory” on GDSs and he urged the major carriers “to share all their fare and ancillary fee information through the distribution systems they currently use”.