Some travel agents are furious over a decision by Bahamasair to slash commission paid to those travel industry professionals.
As a result, some agencies are refusing to sell the airline’s tickets to customers.
While airline officials refused to elaborate on their recent decision Thursday, some agents voiced their anger over the latest commission cut, saying that they have discontinued the ticket sales until the decision is reversed.
The cut means that travel agents will now receive two percent commission for domestic flights, and four percent for international flights instead of six percent for both.
It was just a little over three years ago that travel agencies had to deal with their commission being cut from nine percent to six percent for both local and domestic ticket sales.
A representative of Platinum Travel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, called the cut ridiculous.
Just a few years ago Bahamasair did the same thing. We had to introduce service charges to our customers because of the commission cut, she said.
It’s not even worth it to sell a Bahamasair ticket right now. We can’t afford to, right now we can’t pay our staff.
The agent said US Airways currently gives travel agencies a ten percent commission, Delta gives them nine percent, and American Airlines pays six percent commission.
Considering the amount of money the American airlines give us, whose tickets do you think we’re going to sell? Bahamasair is our national [flag carrier], and for that airline to turn around and do this to us is just unforgivable, she said.
Our concern right now is whether or not the other airlines will follow suit and slash our commission.
Ernestine Sherman, president of the Bahamas Association of Travel Agency Owners, remained tight-lipped over the commission cut, revealing only that it had not been cut to zero.
Paul Major, managing director of Bahamasair, admitted that the airline had cut commission, but said he was not aware that travel agents had stopped selling Bahamasair tickets.
If they are indeed refusing to sell Bahamasair tickets that would not be a smart move, he said.
We responded to a letter they wrote us about the matter, and we’re preparing to meet with them in short order.
However, a representative from another travel agency said agents are fed-up with the national flag carrier’s antics.
Bahamasair obviously wants blood, he said. They want us to give them business, but they don’t want to give us our money. This is crazy.
What are we working for? We have bills to pay Bahamasair needs to get it together. Until then, the other airlines will get their business.
Rogan M. Smith, The Bahamas Jornal
