TA COMPLAINT laid against
Lufthansa when it
imposed its €16 (R247)
‘distribution cost charge’ on
GDS bookings was rejected by
the European Commission at
the end of May.
The Brussels-based GDS
representative, European
Technology and Travel Services
Association (ETTSA), laid
the complaint in 2015. The
association argued that
Lufthansa had breached
the EU code of conduct
on computer reservation
systems (CRSs) by engaging
in discriminatory behaviour in
favour of its own CRS.
The EU’s CRS regulation
states that “air services by all
airlines are (to be) displayed
in a non-discriminatory
way on travel agencies’
computer screens... as these
distribution channels might
influence consumer choice”.
After spending two years
investigating the complaint,
and informing ETTSA in
November 2017 that it had
reached a legal decision, the
Commission appeared to
backtrack at the end of May.
In its ruling, the Commission
said it “does not intend
to conduct a further
investigation” and considers
it “inappropriate” to act,
because “the rules relied upon
in the complaint are under
review and may be amended”.
ETTSA has described this
ruling as unacceptable and
has called on the European
Parliament to “reprimand the
Commission and insist it fulfil
its role”.
Otto de Vries, ceo of Asata,
told TNW that he shared
ETTSA’s concerns. “It seems
to me that the rejection
was not made on adequate
grounds, as complaints
should be assessed based
on existing rules and not
potential, future changes.
We support ETTSA and look
forward to the outcome of the
objection.”
ETTSA formally objected
to the Commission’s ruling
on June 19 and now awaits
a formal decision regarding
the next step, which it might
only receive in the next few
months.
