The decision of most airlines to stop giving commission to travel agents, slated to come into effect from Monday, is now on hold after the Travel Agents Federation of India secured a stay order from the Calcutta High Court.

Of the 16 airlines that were supposed to implement the decision from November 1, the big names include Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Jet Lite and Air India.

Others including British Airways, Thai Airways and Emirates have not yet arrived at any decision. They have, however, allowed agents to charge a transaction fee of Rs 350 and Rs 500 on economy and business class tickets in the domestic sector over and above the ticket price from tomorrow.

Passengers travelling overseas would be charged a maximum of Rs 2,500 for each economy class ticket, Rs 5,000 for business class and Rs 10,000 for first class depending on the distance to be flown. "We have our first hearing on November 3 and till then there is a status quo on the decision following a court order," said Anil Punjabi, chairman, eastern region, Travel Agents Federation of India.

The federation has, in the meantime, decided against agitation. It has taken recourse to 'Gandhigiri' or peaceful protest.

“Airline officials have been adamant and have stuck to their decision. But we have decided to tread the path of peace," said Punjabi.