AGENTS will only continue to be paid 9% commission by Aer Lingus if they keep up current support levels.
Executive vice-president London and Europe Seamus Kearney said: “The message to the trade is very clear. We will be in partnership as long as the trade remains supportive.”
Irish agents are paid 9%, the same rate as UK agents, but Kearney said Aer Lingus has been under pressure to cut its percentage. “There was pressure when Ryanair went to 7.5%,” said Kearney.
However, he claimed Ryanair continued to pay some agents 9% since cutting payments two years ago. Aer Lingus is unusual among carriers as it still pays domestic agents 9%. British Airways, KLMand Air France have all cut rates.