The standoff between Indian Travel Agents and airlines continues as the associations name two more big hitters on their potential boycott list: British Airways and Delta Air Lines.
It has been revealed that the two major global carriers last week send letters to travel agent associations in India saying that current “substantial challenges” meant that they would be withdrawing their commission levels.
“We are going to send out a strong message to Delta and British Airways—they should either pay us commissions or they will have to stop flight operations in India,” said Rajji Rai, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) President, to India’s Economic Times.
“If they don’t accept our demand [of 5% commission], agents will take a call on boycott in the first week of January. We will call a meeting of all the six big travel agents’ associations.”
The six largest travel agent associations will be in talks for the next week to discuss what actions to take.
He adds that requesting a level of reimbursement for selling international tickets is reasonable, as international tickets sales see agents provide extra help with issues regarding visas, passports, foreign currency and insurance matters.
Following failed negotiations with the Singaporean carrier, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators in India (ADTOI) and Enterprising Travel Association of India (ETAA) have all stopped selling the tickets indefinitely.
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British Airways has identified India as the second largest market after the US in volume terms and the third after Australia in terms of its revenue share.

Since last two year, the premiere airline has increased its weekly flights to Indian destinations from 19 to 43 flights.



Robbie Baird, BA's area general manager for the Asia-Pacific Region emphasised the company's plans to stay big in India. He indicated that large planes like Airbus A-380, or the long haul Boeing B-787s could be introduced in the Indian sector in next 4-5 years depending upon the demand growth.

Baird mentioned that the airline's policy was to consolidate and then expand on the existing network.

26/10/07 Business Standard

British Airways was the big winner

British Airways was the big winner at the 25 th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards that were held in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal at a gala dinner at The Landmark in London .

British Airways was the big winner at the 25 th Anniversary OAG Airline of the Year Awards (photo: Bjørn Søreng)

Her Royal Highness presented the coveted Spirit of Flight trophy for Airline of the Year to British Airways CEO, Willie Walsh. British Airways also picked up awards as Best Transatlantic Airline, Best Europe-Asia/Australasia Airline, and best airline based in Western Europe , and was shortlisted in three other categories.

British Airways last won the OAG Airline of the Year Award back in 1988 and now ties with Singapore and Virgin Atlantic in having won the title on five separate occasions since the inception of the awards in 1982.

Kilde: Luis Rosa

- British Airways performed solidly in just about every category it was eligible for," says Alan Glass, CEO of OAG in a pressinfo. "The people that matter, the world's frequent fliers, made it very clear in the way they voted that they like what BA is offering them. British Airways is a very worthy recipient of this year's OAG Airline of the Year Award."

Other multiple winners on the night were Continental Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Continental Airlines retained the "Best Business Class" title for a fifth successive year as well as being voted best airline in North America for a fourth consecutive year – just pipping American Airlines who were commended. Singapore Airlines retained "Best International First Class" and was voted the best airline in Asia . Last year's Airline of the Year, Cathay Pacific, retained its crown as "Best Transpacific Airline".

Reflecting the global reach of the OAG awards, regional winners on the night for best airline included Singapore Airlines (Asia), Qantas (Australasia / Pacific), Continental Airlines (North America), Aeromexico (Central/South America and the Caribbean), Emirates (Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent), South African Airways (Africa), British Airways (Western Europe), and CSA Czech Airlines (Central/Eastern Europe). All the regional winners were eligible for "Airline of the Year."

Seoul Incheon International fought off extremely stiff competition to win the " Best Airport " crown. It just edged out last year's winner Singapore Changi which was commended, and also beat Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK and San Francisco International. Korea was a double winner with Korean Air, shortlisted for the first time this year, winning "Best Economy Class".

JetBlue won Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline for the second time, beating AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines and Virgin Blue.

"OAG's worldwide customer and subscriber base have spoken and voted in record numbers this year," adds Duncan Alexander, managing director at OAG. " A total of 42 different airlines received nominations this year in 15 regional and global categories. As in previous years the results have thrown up some interesting surprises as well as some perennial favourites. On behalf of OAG and its customers, we congratulate all the winners and nominees for representing the very best in global air travel."

Lifetime Achievement Award

EasyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, was presented with this year's Lifetime Achievement Award by HRH The Princess Royal. His Lifetime Achievement Award recognised the impact that EasyJet and the easyGroup had made on the European aviation and travel scene. Alan Glass praised Stelios for his remarkable entrepreneurial achievements in a comparatively short 'lifetime'.

Outstanding Service Award

The recipient of the Outstanding Service Award was Maria Sabbah, BMED sales manager in Lebanon . The award recognised her dedication and inspiring leadership during the aftermath of the air attacks on Beirut and its international airport. Maria, who received her award from BMED CEO, David Richardson, helped hundreds of stranded passengers from all airlines to find their way home safely from Lebanon .

During the award ceremony, which was hosted by sports broadcaster Steve Rider, the CEO of Visit London, James Bidwell, took the stage to welcome the gathered airline and travel industry executives to London. He told them that air travel was vital to the city and the UK's continued prosperity, as well as its position as an international economic hub. He recognised, however, the need to balance the economic importance of tourism with measures to improve the sustainability of the city and looked forward to working with the airlines.

The annual "OAG Airline of the Year Awards" celebrates the very best in global air travel and publicly recognises the highest standards within the industry. The Awards are in association with TravelPlus; Le Royal Hotels was the Official Sponsor of the event, and Boeing was the champagne reception sponsor.

The Winners and Nominees for the 25 th OAG Airline of the Year Awards

OAG Airline of the Year 2007: British Airways
Aeromexico, Continental Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Emirates, Qantas, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines

Best Airline Based in Asia : Singapore Airlines
Cathay Pacific , Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Airways

Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific: Qantas
Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Virgin Blue

Best Airline Based in North America: Continental Airlines
Air Canada , American Airlines (Commended), Delta Air Lines, United Airlines

Best Airline Based in Central/S.America & Caribbean: Aeromexico
Copa Airlines, LAN Airlines, Mexicana, TAM Brazilian Airlines

Best Airline Based in Western Europe : British Airways
Air France , KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic

Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe : CSA Czech Airlines
Aeroflot Russian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, MALEV Hungarian Airlines

Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent : Emirates
El Al, Etihad, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways (Commended)

Best Airline Based in Africa: South African Airways
Air Mauritius, Egyptair, Kenya Airways

Best Transatlantic Airline: British Airways
American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic

Best Transpacific Airline: Cathay Pacific
Air New Zealand , American Airlines, Qantas, United Airlines

Best Europe – Asia/Australasia Airline: British Airways
Air France , Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas

Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline: JetBlue
AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Blue

Best Economy/Coach Class: Korean Air
American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines

Best Business/Executive Class: Continental Airlines
American Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic (Commended)

Best International First Class: Singapore Airlines
British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air,

Best Airport : Seoul Incheon International
Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK, San Francisco International, Singapore Changi (Commended)