NEW YORK -- In a move that could steer additional revenues to
agencies, British Airways will close its 17 U.S. city ticket
offices May 1.
The carrier estimated that $10 million in revenue would shift to
agencies from those offices.
British Airways said its revenues at CTOs have been flat for
some time and are not expected to grow.
New technologies, including electronic ticketing and Internet
bookings, are likely to lessen the need for city locations, the
airline said.
Leases are coming due on 14 of the offices, so the carrier opted
to close them rather than maintain outlets that will soon become
redundant.
British Airways' electronic ticketing option is not available in
the U.S., which leaves three sources for tickets: direct from the
carrier by mail, airport locations and travel agencies.
Those are the same sources for revalidations, reissues and
refunds.
Agencies are likely to benefit because mail is not immediate and
airport locations are seldom convenient.
Meanwhile, in anticipation of bringing BA electronic tickets to
these shores, the carrier is planning to install machines at
airport ticket counters that will read Executive Club or credit
cards to expedite the boarding process.