AGENTS agree that it will be more
difficult to sell tickets on airlines
affected by the US and UK’s recent
ban on electronics in the cabin (see
TNW March 29).
Agents say although the full
effects have not yet been felt,
they doubt corporate and leisure
travellers will easily accept the ban.
Marco Tomasicchio, gm of XL
International Travels, says the ban
will deter business people from
travelling to the US and UK as
they spend most of their time on
board on their laptops working and
preparing for upcoming meetings.
Priti Ramkissoon, travel
consultant of Thompsons Travel,
says leisure travellers will be just
as fed up as most rely on tablets to
keep their children entertained on
long journeys.
The risk of having
valuable electronics
like camera equipment
damaged or stolen is
another concern, says
Candice May, supply
and product manager of
Travelstart.
Furthermore, agents
say they won’t be able to
sell the affected airlines
as effectively as before.
Marco says Emirates is of
particular concern, as it
is one of the few airlines
that still pays agents
commission.
But Candice hopes that
customers who have been
loyal to the affected airlines
won’t switch to another
airline – especially if they
have accumulated loyalty
points. Priti says these
airlines’ competitive fares
are also still a good selling
point.
All six of the affected
airlines have announced
plans to improve passenger
satisfaction as a result
of the ban. Emirates has
introduced a new service to
enable passengers to use
their tablets and laptops
until the last possible
moment. Passengers can
use these devices on the
first part of their journey
and, in transit in Dubai,
hand them over before
boarding their US-bound
flight. The devices are then
packed into boxes, stowed
in the aircraft hold and
returned to travellers on
arrival.
The other airlines have
adopted similar plans.
From April 1, Etihad offers
first and business-class
travellers free WiFi and the
complimentary use of iPads
on all US-bound flights from
Abu Dhabi.
Candice says while a
comprehensive travel
insurance plan usually
covers checked-in baggage,
electronic items are not
covered. Travel Insurance
Consultants (TIC) confirms
this and suggests
travellers insure their large
electronics under their
household insurance policy.
Wybrandt Lubbe, travel
manager of Bidvest
Insurance, says if
passengers need to check
in electronics like laptops,
their household insurance
is the best option and
must include cover while
travelling, in order to claim
for potential damages or
losses.
Alexandre de Juniac,
ceo of Iata, called on
governments to assist
the transport industry in
ensuring that passengers
do not have their tablets,
laptops and other large
electronics removed before
boarding UK- and US-bound
flights. He says he doesn’t
understand how banning
electronics in carry-on
baggage will enhance flight
security.
