European Commission receives complaint over new airline fees from travel agents

Online travel agents, via trade association ETTSA, have lodged a complaint with the European Commission over a €16 fee imposed on Lufthansa Group customers who book their flights outside of its network. The fee was introduced on September 1. ETTSA claims the new fee breaches the industry’s EU-mandated code of conduct since it will hurt comparison shopping and competition, according to Christoph Klenner, ETTSA’s secretary general. The European Commission is already investigating a similar accusation filed in July by ECTAA, an association representing traditional travel agencies. If found in breach of any EU rules, the Commission is empowered to fine