Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia cut booking charge
Four major online travel agencies have dropped airline ticket fees in a bid to make prices more attractive, reports said today (June 1).
Orbitz Worldwide has joined Expedia and Travelocity in removing the extra fees for domestic and international flights booked through them.
Expedia, which owns business travel specialist Egencia, said it would drop the charges last week. Travelocity will continue to waive its fee, Reuters reported.
While the fees could boost demand for bookings, dropping them removes a source of revenue for the companies.
The travel industry has suffered in the global economic downturn with many either downsizing travel spend or cancelling trips altogether.
The current aviation crisis has forced many airlines to cut capacity, reducing the number of seats travel agencies can offer.
Neither Expedia not Orbitz saw growth in the first quarter of 2009.
www.orbitz.com www.expedia.com www.egencia.com www.travelocity.com