APJC - Of the Airlines, For the Airlines & By the Airlines.

[Travel Agent]

Friends:

A4A is not in the mailing list of TAAI. Hence, one was unaware of the APJC meting on 6th of August, 2014, after a few months, one understands. As per TAAI circular, QUOTE " This APJC meeting was of tremendous importance since it is very close to the deadline to send transmittals to PA Conference, suggesting changes to the IATA resolutions" .UNQUOTE

It appears, that ONLY the Airlines were in a hurry to send the Transmittal to PAConf. Otherwise, how can AGENTS REPRESENTATIVES forget to include a resolution REVERSING the WEEKLY PAYMNET ? Obviously, they were not representing the AGENTS issues. Apparently, the TAAI & TAFI representatives were present, NOT to speak up for the Travel Agent Community, but to endorse the unethical, if not illegal decisions of APJC.

India appears to be the ONLY country, where, IATA has double standards  that imposes resolutions as per 818g while continuing to function as per 810i. To date, this remains unquestioned by our "so called" representatives.  While the Airlines have their periodic elections for the APJC membership, the highly dubious representation from the Agents side remains enigmatic and mysterious, with the elections to the Mg. Committees of these Associations have come under a cloud. Obviously this obfuscation suits all the vested interests.

Naturally therefore, the APJC meeting was an eyewash.  Please read the following:

• Regarding the Corporate Credit Card: ".....After extensive deliberations the Agents
  

representatives were able to successfully get the APJC India unanimously agree to

send a proposal for change to this resolution – giving the Airlines discretion to

authorize agencies to use such a Credit Card.."

Giving the Airlines discretion means, as good as the Secy MoCA saying   "...Commission is payable, if the Airlines agree / pay.."   This is INSULT to one's intelligence, to say the least. 

• Joint Bank Guarantee is successfully adopted. Thanks. One need not explain, who are the beneficiaries.

Under the circumstances, one finds it appropriate to reproduce the cartoon which appeared in the face book.

Rgds

A4A

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: TAAI <ta...@taai.in>
Date: Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 5:21 PM
Subject: APJC MEETING : 6TH AUGUST 2014
To: TAAI <ta...@taai.in>

TRAVEL AGENTS ASSOCIATION OF INDIA

2-D, Lawrence & Mayo House, 276 Dr. D N Road, Fort,Mumbai-400 001. 

Tel : (022) 40836786 / 22078184 / 22077662      Fax : (022) 40836767     E-mail: ta...@taai.in    Website :www.travelagentsofindia.com

CIN No. - U63040MH1951NPL008693

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

7^th August 2014

 

TAAI / GEN / AC-AS / 191 / 2014

 

To : All Members (Active & Associate)

Subject  : APJC Meeting : 6^th August 2014

 

 

Dear Colleague,

We are happy to share some good news for the Industry. The 41^st APJC meeting was held at Mumbai on the 6^th August 2014 and was well attended by TAAI & TAFI representatives.
On behalf of TAAI, our representatives were:

 

a) b) c) d) e)

Mr Sunil Kumar – Acting President Mr Harmandeep Singh Anand – Hon. Secretary General Mr Marzban Antia – Hon. Treasurer Mr Lokesh Bettaiah – Member, Managing Committee Mr Jay Bhatia – Member, Managing Committee

TAFI Team was also well represented.

This APJC meeting was of tremendous importance since it is very close to the deadline to send transmittals to PA Conference, suggesting changes to the IATA resolutions.

 

We are delighted to share some good news with our members on the success of unanimous decisions taken at the APJC meeting.

 

a)	Corporate Credit Card usage by Agencies: Some Airlines are sending circulars to prohibit the usage of Corporate Credit Cards by Agencies since IATA Rule 890 prohibits the usage of an Agency Credit Card.  In our discussions with the Airlines – they were unwilling to discuss in view of the IATA rule prohibiting the usage of Agents Credit Cards.  After extensive deliberations the Agents representatives were able to successfully get the APJC India unanimously agree to send a proposal for change to this resolution – giving the Airlines discretion to authorize agencies to use such a Credit Card
b)	The long awaited decision on JOINT BANK GUARANTEE was successfully adopted: APJC India on 6th August unanimously decided to propose to PA Conference, the introduction (re-implementation) of the Joint Bank Guarantee scheme.  This is a very big success since the scheme that successfully lasted for about 22 years in TAAI, was discontinued effective 31st December 2013.   A power-point presentation by Sunil Kumar was presented on the systems that were adopted and how the Scheme will mutually benefit the Agencies and the Airlines   However, both these proposals from APJC India, will be voted upon at the PA Conference and upon their approval, will be implemented in India.
Other Matters
c)	A resolution adopted by APJC India is being sent for approval to the PA Conference regarding extension of the payment date due to, Unscheduled Banking closure between the end of sales period and remittance date, subject to a maximum of one day.
d)	Airlines were referring to serious difficulties they were facing with the Insurance Companies not settling their claims and were suggesting to review the 50:50 (Insurance / BG) proposal.  We have categorically informed that this is unacceptable to us.
e)	There being several other matters pertaining to Industry’s financial practices, it was decided that a full day Financial Advisory Group (FAG) comprising of Airline and Agency representatives be convened to consider various matters and to come up with proposals for consideration at the next APJC meeting which may take place during November 2014.

With warm regards

Sincerely yours,

 

Sunil Kumar

Acting President

 

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