Lufthansa to introduce GDS surcharge on Sept. 1

As of Sept. 1, airlines in the Lufthansa Group will charge 16 euros for GDS bookings, part of the company’s redirected commercial strategy announced this week.

According to a release from Lufthansa, the Distribution Cost Charge (DCC) will be applied to GDS bookings on flights with Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines Ltd. The new charge will not be added to flight tickets purchased using Lufthansa’s booking channels, such as through the airlines’ websites, as well as the service centre and ticket counter at the airports. Travel agencies will also be able to book tickets without the DCC, using the online portal at www.LHGroup-agent.com.

Annual GDS costs total in the millions of euros for Lufthansa, the company said.