Travel agents want EU antitrust regulators to probe Lufthansa surcharges
Travel lobbying group urges EU antitrust regulators to investigate Lufthansa’s allegedly discriminatory measures against travel agents
Brussels — Travel lobbying group ETTSA, whose members include Amadeus and booking.com, has urged EU antitrust regulators to investigate Lufthansa’s surcharges and other allegedly discriminatory measures against travel agents. In its complaint to the European Commission’s antitrust unit, the association said Lufthansa’s fees have cost consumers using independent distribution channels more than €1bn since 2015. German online travel agent VIR is a joint complainant in the case. The European Technology and Travel Services Association (ETTSA’s) other members are Odigeo, Opodo, ebookers, eDreams, Sabre, Travelport and hotels.com, among others. “LH is leveraging its dominant position on air transport services markets in Austria and Germany to control and manipulate the present and future distribution channels for LH and ultimately other carriers’ tickets, severely penalising consumers in the EU territory in the short term as well as in the long run,” ETTSA said in the complaint. The associ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.