AAA Travel Vice President Sandra Hughes Statement On Delta Airlines Decision To Eliminate Travel Agent Commissions

Business Wire, March 14, 2002

Business Editors/Automotive Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2002

AAA's Vice President Sandra Hughes issued the following statement regarding Delta Airlines' decision to eliminate travel agent commissions:

"AAA, which operates the largest leisure travel agency in North America, today called on Delta Airlines to reconsider its decision to eliminate paying base commissions to travel agents. AAA also urged other airlines not to follow Delta's lead.

"This decision by Delta is a bad one for travelers and it is a bad move for the airlines since it comes at a time when the airline industry is still attempting to regain the momentum it lost after September 11. Delta's action likely will raise the cost of airline tickets for American travelers because without airline commissions many travel agents undoubtedly would have to raise fees to cover their costs.

"Unless Delta plans to reduce airline ticket prices as a result of not paying fees to travel agents, in the end, consumers pay more."