Indian travel agents may boycott Singapore

With Singapore Airlines holding firm on its zero-commission policy Indian travel agents are apparently all set to extend their boycott of the airline to Singapore as a destination. Media reports suggest that several key Indian agent associations have been involved in talks with the Singapore Tourism Board this week in an effort to break the impasse.

Should the talks fail to yield results, reports suggest, Indian agents could boycott Singapore as a destination from today itself. It may be mentioned that six major associations have already selected the day to promote their 'Respect the Indian agent or Quit India' campaign.

"All travel agents across the country will observe a protest on 30 January against foreign airlines as they continue to deprive us of commission on their air ticket bookings. As of now, we are not booking their tickets," said Rajii Rai, Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI) president.

Already the country's six travel agent associations - Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators in India (ADTOI), Enterprising Travel Association of India (ETAA), and TAAI, have boycotted several foreign carriers and are refusing to sell tickets until commissions are reinstated.

Singapore Airlines this week announced a downgrading of capacity to key Indian cities of New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.