IATA: July 2 Deadline for Payments to ‘BSP’ Remains Unchanged for Greek Travel Agents

The deadline for payments to IATA’s electronic billing system BSP (billing and settlement plan) for Greek travel agencies, remains unchanged and is set for Thursday, July 2, the country’s travel agency sector was informed on Wednesday by the Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies (HATTA), the Greek Union of Air Travel Agencies (PETAGA) and the Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agents Association.

According to a joint announcement, IATA (International Air Transport Association) has yet to officially respond to Greece’s request for the deadline of the BSP payments to be extended for July 9, two working days after Greek banks are to reopen from a week-long “bank holiday”.

However, during Tuesday’s APJC meeting in Athens, IATA informed HATTA, PETAGA and the Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agents Association that it would be “flexible” to the July 2 payments to BSP made by Greek travel agencies.

Taking under consideration the recent developments in Greece, IATA said if a travel agency can not cover the total amount due to BSP, it will have to submit a signed statement (Greek: ipefthini dilosi) explaining the reasons. Necessary documents must also be submitted as proof. The Greek travel agencies that follow this procedure will not be declared default by IATA.

IATA changes billing cycle for Greek travel agencies

On Monday, IATA informed that Greek travel agencies will have to temporarily move to a weekly remittance cycle (in place of the standard fortnightly span) with immediate effect for all IATA Accredited Agents in the country, from July 16 until the end of September 2015.

In regards to this development, HATTA, PETAGA and the Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agents Association, informed that negotiations will continue on the matter.