Cheapflights.com, for instance, asks travel firms to pay whenever a potential customer clicks through to an advertiser's website or clicks to obtain their telephone number.

ECONOMIST: The travel industry

David Soskin, chief executive of cheapflights.com, which directs many of its visitors to the BA Web site, says Walsh's restructuring had been inevitable and more could be expected.

FORBES: Walsh's BA Restructures As More Bookings Go Online

"We'll certainly put the information into our blog and produce the list of blacklisted airlines, thus allowing travelers to make informed decisions about airlines, " said David Soskin , chief executive of Cheapflights, an independent company providing flight price comparison.

FORBES: Magazine Article