1. Transparency for EU air travellers under serious threat
EP Hearing “Digitalisation in Transport”
Brussels, 20 June 2018
Christoph H.L. Klenner, ETTSA

2. Strategic Partners

3. Independent Airline Distribution: an achievement benefiting airlines and consumers
Open, neutral and transparent market place, at the cutting edge of digitalisation
Since liberalisation of air transport in the EU (1990s), we have helped create a true single aviation market
Giving competing airlines and new entrants equal access to the customer, thus disciplining the market and enabling real competition
Leveraging technology to make distribution more efficient and overcome fragmentation
Empowering consumers by giving them access to comprehensive information and enabling real choice

4. A solid EU regulatory framework that is being challenged by large airlines
Early on, EU put in place regulatory safeguards to guarantee transparency for consumers
These rules have proven their worth: EU airlines have never been in better financial shape, and air travel has never been more affordable than today
But there are dark clouds on the horizon: major airlines are breaching these rules and are systematically discriminating against consumers who wish to compare prices and shop in the neutral distribution channel
Airlines do this inter alia by:
Imposing punitive surcharges on all tickets not booked directly with the airline
Withholding certain fares or information on ancillary services from consumers who shop in the neutral distribution channel

5. A wake-up call for thorough enforcement and strengthening of the rules
The Commission has failed to enforce the rules, despite formal complaints and Parliamentary action for the last 3 years
All major EU airline groups now discriminate against consumers who wish to compare prices and shop in the neutral distribution channel
Airline competition, market entry and transparency for consumers are under serious threat, and the achievements of air transport liberalisation risk becoming undone
The Parliament, as co-legislator, must insist that the Commission thoroughly enforce rules that are and remain the gold standard
The upcoming review and potential revision of the rules must ensure fair competition between distribution channels, to the benefit of the consumer

6. Thank you! Christoph H.L. Klenner Secretary General, ETTSA