Travel agents seek EU antitrust probe into Lufthansa pricing

A group whose members include Amadeus and Expedia, stepped up their fight against German airline Lufthansa Wednesday, urging EU regulators to investigate booking fees it levies on travel agents. In its complaint to the EC’s antitrust watchdog, the European Technology and Travel Services Association (ETTSA) alleged that Lufthansa’s fees have cost consumers using independent distribution channels more than E1b since 2015. German online travel agent VIR is a joint complainant with ETTSA in the case. The association’s other members are Odigeo, Opodo, bookers, 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,” the association said in its complaint. It said this penalized EU consumers in the short term as well as in the long run. The Commission confirmed receipt of the association’s complaint against Lufthansa, saying that it would assess it carefully. Lufthansa said: “Indeed, we have officially been informed today about the complaint from ETTSA filed to the European Commission. Of course, the Lufthansa Group will cooperate with the investigating authorities.”<br/>