Since Lufthansa’s surcharge on global distribution system bookings went into effect on Sept. 1, 42 percent of travel buyers have decreased bookings

with the carrier, according to an Oct. 14 to Oct. 19 survey by the Global Business Travel Association and its network of European partners. Of the 434 surveyed, 2 percent would book directly with Lufthansa to avoid the €16 fee. “We believe that the booking surcharge strategy has effectively backfired,” said GBTA executive director Michael W. McCormick.