| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 6 |
| Copyright: Other |
Lufthansa sets out target for e-commerce
LUFTHANSA is set to increase its Internet bookings by 600% within the next five years.The target, set by chairman and chief executive Jurgen Weber, means the German carrier will have to boost on-line sales from 5% currently to 30% by 2005.
Auctions on www.lufthansa.com and direct e-mailing to frequent passengers is increasing ebusiness but the airline is also expected to sell cheap deals through its site.
Links and booking availability with the Star Alliance site will also increase numbers.
Weber pledged that Star Alliance will focus heavily on electronic communications, including on-line bookings and links to Internet-enabled mobile telephones.
Member carriers are also looking at installing Internet facilities on aircraft.
The Star Alliance airlines’ decision to increase Web bookings looks set to have an impact on retailers. “Agents have to change,” warned Weber. “They will be needed for some things and not for others.”
Lufthansa’s Star Alliance partner British Midland takes just 1.5% of its bookings over the Internet. However, it is trying to improve this with low-fare auctions with QXL.com.
British Midland chairman Sir Michael Bishop backed Weber’s comments. “There will be more and more low Web fares,” he said.