The Lufthansa Group is using direct-connect bookings with both
Siemens and Volkswagen, bypassing global distribution systems, the airline
group announced.
Siemens began using the direct-connect solution on Aug. 1,
following months of testing within select divisions. All Siemens travelers based
in the company's home country of Germany now can book flights on Lufthansa,
Swissair, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines directly, according to Lufthansa
Group.
Lufthansa also has developed a similar setup with
Volkswagen.
With a direct connection, the companies avoid Lufthansa's €16
fee for GDS bookings. Lufthansa estimated Siemens' commercial savings will reach
"well into the range of six figures." Lufthansa also eventually plans
to provide "new and tailor-made Lufthansa products" to Siemens travelers
through the channel. That could include a booking class that's specific to
Siemens travelers, according to The
Company Dime.
Lufthansa worked with Amadeus IT Group to
develop the direct-connect interface, and the group's airline IT vice president
Guido Haarmann said in a statement the collaboration could include connecting
the Lufthansa inventory to travel technology developer i:FAO's Cytric
online booking solution.