asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport whether the practice of British Airways in offering a 20 per cent commission to travel agents for long haul and first class business is in the best interests of the travelling public.
Written Answers - British Airways' Commission.
21.
The rate of commission paid on airline tickets is in the main a matter for settlement between airlines and travel agents.
I understand that British Airways offer a commission of 19 per cent to travel agents in Ireland on tickets from London to Australia which are sold in Ireland and that this is designed to compete with London-Australia tickets on other airlines which are available for sale in Ireland and which carry a similar level of commission. I am satisfied that in this instance the level of commission being given is a direct result of competitive market forces and that the interests of the Irish travelling public are not being adversely affected.