AIRLINES

TWA Breaks Ranks on Travel Agent Commissions: The carrier became the first of seven major airlines to scrap a policy that reduced the sales commissions it paid to travel agents to no more than $50 a ticket. Trans World Airlines announced an agreement with the American Society of Travel Agents under which it will return to its previous policy of paying flat 10% sales commissions on domestic airline tickets of any amount, retroactive to May 1. In February, TWA joined with the other airlines in limiting commissions. The new agreement provides that in return for TWA’s decision, the agents will steer at least 10% more business to the St. Louis-based carrier. The deal requires the approval of U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, where the agents association has filed suit against the big airlines.