ABTA and Ryanair go head to head

by Steve Jones

RYANAIR has raised the stakes in the escalating Passenger Service Charge feud with ABTA by threatening to sever all links with agents.

The carrier has warned Newman Street it will axe commission completely if ABTA continues to chase the airline for more than £330,000 in unpaid commission. ABTA has said it will pursue legal action to secure the commission on behalf of agents.

In a fierce exchange of letters between the two sides, Ryanair sales and marketing director Tim Jeans told the association the carrier would “lead a campaign among airlines to reduce commission or simply stop working with the trade”.

ABTA president Stephen Bath said Ryanair’s threat was “the act of a bully, not a business”.