IAAI’s AGM 2014 to be held on March 8-9 in Chennai.To focus on “factors affecting sustainability of agents”

BS Post: 101, Dated : 26 February 2014, Place : Mumbai.

The IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI) is all set to organise its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Ambassador Pallava hotel in Chennai on March 8 and 9, 2014. This year’s AGM will witness a series of workshops and seminars on various aspects of the Indian travel and tourism industry. The Association is expecting the presence of over 200 IAAI members, including distinguished members of the industry, at the AGM. The preparations for the AGM are being looked after by T Gopakumar, Director, South India, IAAI and S Faisal, Chairman, Airline Affairs Committee, India, IAAI. Speaking about the AGM, Biji Eapen, National President, IAAI, said, “The forthcoming AGM is very important for IAAI. First, we have to get ratified all our deeds and activities held last year. Then we will present new activities and action plan for 2014, which has to be approved. This AGM will be mainly focusing on the “factors affecting sustainability of agents” providing more significance to “commission issue” and “weekly payment” system. Member’s comments, suggestions and criticisms are vital for us to streamline and formulate a strategy and to prepare the course of action. And significantly, our AGM is opened to press and media too, who have the freedom to intervene and demand clarifications". IAAI's AGM will discuss issues on agency commission, its present situation based on the social, political, governmental and legal stand. The other topics to be deliberated on at the AGM include implementation of Resolution 818g,  Ticket stock withdrawal by airlines, APJC- India: induction of IAAI and NDC (New Distribution Challenges), etc. Talking about the current state of industry, Eapen stated, “Travel industry is facing a very dangerous situation. The zero commission regime has led to the closure of few travel agencies and has affected the entire industry. The present scenario of weekly payment system will definitely wipe out another 30 per cent of ordinary agents. Indian travellers, especially corporate, used to avail maximum credit facilities. Many times, even the credit period used to extend up to one month. Today, seven days of business and next day you payment has to be made. Till December 2013, agents used to get 14 days credit period. Hence, agents will be in a real fix. The new financial guarantee will be another danger and finally NDC". IAAI, since its inception in 2001, is playing a major role in bringing agency commission for agents from airlines. As a result, many airlines and offices of Indian government have also come up with favourable solutions for agents.  Elaborating on their future strategies, Eapen said, “IAAI has a vision and mission. Presently, restoring agency commission is our first task. We will ensure and enforce the law of the land that each and every travel agent in India should get full remuneration from the airlines operating in India. And, we will have to reinstate the five per cent commission which prevailed in 2008.” "We have already discussed with many foreign airlines and all are of the opinion that they do not have any second opinion, provided, the national carrier implement the same.  Ultimately, the national carrier should take this initiative, which they won’t do because of their membership entry into Star Alliance. Hence, we may have to force Air India and government authorities to reinstate agency commission. The AGM will discuss the process and action plan and accordingly we will formulate the strategy,” said D L Jekannathan, General Secretary, IAAI. "We have to ensure that every agent should have ticket stock of all airlines operating in India," added S Saldanha, National Treasurer, IAAI. By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi