The International Air Transport Association (IATA) had previously announced that the weekly settlement system would be implemented from June 1, 2012 but in a conscious effort to support the travel agent community the date has been postponed to November 1, 2012. Biji Eapen, President, IAAI, believes that the five months grace period is a warning for the travel agents; the aim behind postponing the date was to give the travel agents time to prepare themselves for the weekly payment system. “I am happy that IATA is being considerate but this move is not a solution, it has just delayed the problem by few months. We still maintain that we want to retain and continue with the fortnightly payment system.” According to Iqbal Mulla, President, TAAI if the weekly payment system would’ve been implemented the small and medium agents would find it difficult to derive any gain from the trade and would seize to exist. “We are happy that IATA is supporting the travel agent community and the domestic carriers have understood the seriousness of the issue.” But Mulla believes that the issue hasn’t come to a close completely, “All the associations along with the airlines will jointly come up with a reasonable solution to the dreaded outcome. Also it is very important to educate the small travel agents and train them accordingly so that they can prepare themselves for the weekly settlement system.” The announcement on implementing the weekly payment system was made at the Passenger Agency Conference in Singapore in October, 2011. The entire travel trade community revolted against this decision with associations including TAAI, TAFI, IAAI and IATO going to court against IATA, MoCA, DGCA and other airlines to withdraw the decision.
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