Travel Agencies Sue Lufthansa

German travel agencies have filed a lawsuit against Lufthansa over the planned abolition of commission fees, effective starting in September. According to the association of German travel agencies and tour operators (DRV), the legal action is supposed to decide whether the cancellation of commission fees is permissible. The DRV argued that demanding free services from business partners goes against the rules of commercial trade. The association added that, as it expects its suit against Lufthansa to go on for several years, it sees no other option but to raise prices for customers buying Lufthansa tickets. Market experts say Lufthansa stands to save €100 million ($123 million) by cutting commissions to travel agents. The airline has already suggested that travel agencies make up the difference by charging customers a fee for ticket sales.