The news could have passed unnoticed, camouflaged as it was at the foot of a press release devoted to the quarterly results ofAir France-KLM... However, it marks a new turning point in relations between the distribution systems and airlines. The paragraph in question states: " In order to adapt to changes in the market and improve efficiency, Air France-KLM will introduce a distribution surcharge on GDS saleseffective from 1st April 2018. The surcharge will not apply to travel agencies via a NDC connection or Air France-KLM direct sales channels ". Air France KLM is thus following in the footsteps of Lufthansa, which is setting an example after causing controversy with the launch of its GDS tax two years earlier. It remains to be seen what the cost of this GDS surcharge will be, as Air France has not yet communicated a precise figure.
