Two of the largest airlines, Jet Airways and Air India, have decided to stop absorbing the surcharge on payments by agents made through credit cards.
Both, by not absorbing the surcharge, aim to save Rs 30 crore (Rs 300 million) each annually.
Ironically, Kingfisher Airlines, in a huge financial crisis, has not issued any such order.
"We decided to absorb that charge earlier because that ensured immediate money to us. Now, we have decided not to absorb it and have asked the agents to make that payment, as they also get a 50-day period to make their credit card payments," said a senior AI official, who did not want to be identified.
Likewise, Jet has decided not to absorb the two per cent surcharge from May 1.
Agents make payments to airlines by cheque or credit card. In the latter transaction, money reaches the airline immediately but the clearance of cheques normally takes three to four days.
Recently, IATA told travel agents they'd have to remit ticket sale proceeds to airlines every week, in place of the current fortnightly span.
It has slated the change to take effect from June 1,
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