Sydney-QANTAS has lost a High Court challenge to a ruling that it owes millions of dollars to travel agents underpaid commission for more than six years.
The Federal Court ruled in May that the carrier short-changed travel agents when it failed to pay commission on fuel surcharges on international flights.
The High Court loss means the case now goes back to Federal Court for a decision on how much the airline has to shell out.
Qantas said in 2007 that the cost at that time was estimated at $26 million, but lawyers for the travel agents say the figure has increased considerably since then.
Slater & Gordon lawyer Steven Lewis, who brought a class action against a number of airlines on behalf of travel agents, said it was time for Qantas to sit down with the agents and resolve the issue.“Qantas has had its day in court and its excuses for not paying the commission have been rejected by the court,” Mr Lewis said.
“The mum and dad travel agents, which make up the bulk of our clients, now need to be paid what they are owed and allowed to get on with their businesses.”