Aer Lingus slashes commissions

Dublin – Embattled Irish-flag carrier Aer Lingus has slashed travel agent commissions in Ireland, although US agents’ commission will remain at five percent with a maximum of $100 (about R1 600) on air tickets and ten percent on holiday packages. The move comes as Aer Lingus pilots voted for a one-day walk out on February 11 in protest against job cuts which would affect one third of the airline’s workforce. Aer Lingus on Tuesday was holding negotiations with the pilots’ union in an attempt to avert the strike action, a spokesperson said. “One thousand other workers have accepted severance packages,” the spokesperson said. “But the pilots have rejected that voluntary proposal.” (Samantha Killik)