The GTMC has said around two-thirds of its member base “have not and will not” register for the Lufthansa website in order to avoid paying the airline’s new GDS booking fee.
A study from the organisation found 67 per cent of the UK’s top travel TMCs will try to find ways of not paying the controversial charge.
It also found around a quarter of GTMC members have registered, but state it is to simply look at the functionality and capability of the Lufthansa agency portal, and not to use it for bookings.
The charge came into force on September 1, which will mean anyone booking a Lufthansa flight via GDS will have to pay €16 per booking.
Just six per cent of GTMC member businesses have signed up to Lufthansa.com but will only use the direct channel, bypassing a GDS, if requested to do so by a client.
GTMC CEO Paul Wait said: “Lufthansa has publically claimed that TMCs have been signing up to use their website directly, however the behaviour of GTMC members show that simply isn’t the case. In fact, our member booking activity is testament that the GDS levy isn’t working.
“The good news for airlines who recognise and support TMCs is that Lufthansa is handing corporate travel bookings to them. The changes from Lufthansa may have been rooted in trying to solve cost challenges for the airline, however they haven’t addressed what corporate customers and business passengers want,” he added.
Earlier this month, Lufthansa said charging a €16 fee for all GDS bookings is in the “best interests” of customers.
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