Lufthansa added a 16-euro fee for tickets sold via booking sites to steer buyers direct

BBC News reported in June 2015 that Lufthansa Group would add a 16-euro surcharge from 1 September for tickets bought through third-party websites such as Expedia, Opodo and ebookers, covering Lufthansa, Austrian, Brussels Airlines and Swiss. A spokesman said the aim was to allocate the high distribution cost of global distribution systems, a high three-digit million euro amount a year, to those that use the services rather than spreading it evenly across passengers, and to gain more freedom in its own sales activities.

The charge hits online travel agencies that sell tickets themselves, while on metasearch engines that send users to the airline, Lufthansa's own site would look cheapest. An analyst said steering customers to own sites cuts costs and lets airlines promote add-on services. Delta and American Airlines had clashed with booking sites earlier over similar fees and access.

Bill the cost to those who use the expensive channel with a 16-euro fee, which also makes the airline's own site the cheapest option.

The costly GDS channel is paid for by the airline for each booking, so passing it to its users aligns cost with usage.

A 16-euro difference deters customers from completing bookings on third-party agencies.

Own-site sales let the airline sell add-on services directly.

Lufthansa had reported net profit down 82% the prior year, prompting a search for revenue.

Cost allocation can also be a distribution strategy: charging for the expensive channel pushes customers to the one you control.

Opodo said agencies opposed the move and European travel agent associations were examining it legally. Lufthansa's stock traded slightly higher on the announcement, and Amadeus shares closed 10% lower. The BBC piece gives no later sales results.