The decision to separate passengerservice charge from air fares is surely another example of airlines passing on their costs to the travel agent and, at the same time, the consumer. (Travel Weekly December 16 1998).
I can picture the scene in airline offices – the cost of distribution chart would be out, and this time, the financial sharks would be highlighting the passenger service charge as another chance to shift costs and cut commission. Why stop there? Maybe agents can pay for other overheads, like fuel and in-flight meals.
British Airways’ Dan Brewin is quoted as saying that agents are overreacting – the problem is that Dan fails to realise that decisions like this reduce margins that are already alarmingly tight, and if we overreact, it is because we are fighting for our own existence.
No doubt the airlines will tell the media that other European countries already separate the service charge but how many carriers are already charging the consumer ú294 plus tax (Aberdeen-London fare) on an equivalent journey. BA and the other carriers will say it is not their fault that passengers travelling from Scottish airports will now pay more, but the decision taken by them has resulted in this unfair situation.
The Scottish Passenger Agents Associationplans to take this matter up with the new Scottish parliament which I am sure is the action the airlines want us to take so they can wash their hands of the situation.
Bill Tonagh, president, Scottish Passenger Agents Association, Glasgow