Amadeus today confirmed it is extending by one month its absorption of surcharges levied by Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines for "preferred fares" booked through the global distribution system in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Lufthansa in January announced plans to impose what amounts to a €4.90 per-way surcharge plus value-added tax on fares booked through GDSs in Germany and Austria on July 1, and in Switzerland and Liechtenstein on Oct. 1
(BTNonline, Jan. 22). Amadeus competitors Travelport and Sabre came to new terms with Lufthansa and its Swiss subsidiary to shield its subscribers from the surcharge, but Amadeus absorbed the fees on their customers' behalf.
"When announced, this measure was intended to apply until December 31, 2008," an Amadeus spokesperson told
BTN by e-mail today. "Amadeus will, however, continue the program in Germany and Austria until Jan. 31, 2009, and until March 31, 2009, in Switzerland."
Amadeus executive vice president of commercial David Jones, who recently was appointed CEO, effective in January, told
BTN last week, "There is not visible movement, but we're obviously taking to Lufthansa to try to sort this out."