Lufthansa’s new commercial strategy- Another air fare increase for the EU traveller, ECTAA says on its announcement.
This 2nd June 2015, the Lufthansa Group announced that as from 1st September 2015, all LH Group Airlines will introduce a new cost charge of 16 EUR for every ticket issued by travel agents via GDSs.
More than ever, the EU traveller should be able to rely on neutral and impartial advice of travel agents to find his way in the jungle of airline fares, charges, fuel surcharges and other ancillaries.
The LH Group’s announcement will be another hidden cost passed on to the consumer and an attempt to make fare transparency and comparison more difficult. There is indeed no comparison possible, when the consumer goes on the LH website.
Said Lars Thykier, President of ECTAA:
“The unilateral announcement made today by the Lufthansa Group will seriously affect the ability of consumers to choose their preferred distribution channel. The new cost charge will increase Lufthansa Group airlines fares in average by more than 5% and will further hinder a
fair and transparent access to the airlines fares by the consumers and travel agents.”
While consumer’ protection in the digital environment is currently at the heart of discussions at the EU level, Lufthansa’s announcement to redirect its commercial strategy to favour its own distribution channel goes in the opposite direction.
