The Scottish Passenger Agents Association’s (SPAA) vice-president and convener – air and GDS, Alan Glen, has condemned Lufthansa’s €16 charge as ‘excessive and opaque’ and the airline’s new booking portal as ‘not fit for purpose’.
Glen said that in a survey the vast majority of members were very unhappy with the Lufthansa stance.
“In fact the survey would indicate that many have already, independently, taken the decision to actively sell away from LH group airlines,” he revealed.
A number of SPAA member companies which have been through the airline’s portal registration process described it as being “tortuous and frustrating”.
An agents’ helpline provided operated between 9am and 5pm, was “totally inadequate for a 24-hour/7-day business environment”.
Glen said: “For now, it is evident that Lufthansa’s Distribution Cost Charge package is simply not fit for purpose.
“It adds unjustified new cost and a technically unproven extra operational burden to the already heavy workload of the airline group’s travel partners.
“The SPAA’s air committee – along with travel sector colleague organisations – will continue to challenge Lufthansa to review and change its approach to its future partnership with the travel sector.”