The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) thanked US Airways for its …
The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) thanked US Airways for its responsiveness to ASTA`s request that it remove language from its Web site that some travel agents considered to be disparaging.
We recognize that US Airways is entitled to compete for business by promoting its Web site if that is its strategy. But we do not think it is appropriate for any supplier to directly disparage travel agencies who are appointed to represent the supplier. We don`t think any supplier would want agents to engage in such conduct and the suppliers should not do it either, said ASTA President and CEO Richard M. Copland, CTC.That US Airways would react so quickly and so positively in response to ASTA`s concern that its Web site was taking an anti-agent stance was a positive step, indicating the airline`s willingness to keep the lines of communication open and its desire to maintain an ongoing working relationship with agents.
Travel agents still account for 70 percent of all airlines tickets sold and are a vital link in US Airways` ticket distribution and sales systems. ASTA is extremely pleased by the actions of US Airways and hopeful that this will lead to increased cooperation in other areas, Copland said.
The language in question had appeared on the US Airways Web site as part of its No Booking Fees. No Brainer campaign. When ASTA called US Airways` attention to the negative language, the airline promptly agreed to remove it.
We certainly did not intend to affront travel agents through our Web site message and regret the fact that anyone was offended, said US Airways vice president of sales and international Douglas D. Leo. We will continue to work closely with the travel agency community to further develop our business relationships.
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