The introduction of the additional fee for aviation agencies for the use of the global distribution systems (GDS) by Ukraine International Airlines (UIA, Kyiv) is linked to the movement of the aviation market trends towards a low cost model, UIA President Yuriy Miroshnykov has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"Yes, we have really introduced the additional fee for the use of GDS. This is a well-known fact. I know about the letter and other publications of the Association of Air Agencies. I want to say that the aviation sector is changing quickly, trends are moving towards newest technologies, particularly to low cost transportation," he said.

He said that the market and passenger are waiting for the introduction of more low cost tariffs, and no other segment in the logistics chain of transportation by air can stay on the sidelines.

"Low cost transportation does not foresee the services of air agencies or minimize them. Why do the services of agencies cost much? They have additional elements of comfort, and one of them is the use of GDS. Comfort comes at the price. Now we have times when airlines provide for transportation from one destination to another, and the rest of the services – luggage, check in, food and booking – are additional services. One should get used to it," he said.

Miroshnykov said that UIA gives an alternative to passengers. They can buy tickets directly on the airline's website without paying the fee.

"We also give the alternative scheme to agencies. They can connect directly to the UIA's website," he said.