TRAVELPORT’S Orbitz Worldwide has gained the edge in its ongoing tussle with American Airlines (AA) over the carrier’s plans to force agents into using its Direct Connect booking system rather than their global distribution systems (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 6).
Orbitz, which owns ebookers, was forced to pull data on AA’s flights, having lost a legal dispute against the airline before last Christmas.
The Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois today entered an injunction against AA, overturning its December 21, 2010 ruling. It also agreed with Travelport that the injunction should have been granted in December, which would have prevented AA from terminating its contracts with Orbitz.
AA will now have to reinstate Orbitz’s ability to display and ticket AA flights. As a result, Orbitz is able to sell AA’s fares and content immediately.
Travelport’s chief commercial officer, Kurt Ekert, said: “Travelport is delighted with the court’s ruling requiring AA’s fares to be reinstated on Orbitz, enabling consumers to book AA tickets through Orbitz. We view this as a significant ruling.”
