ASTA provides testimony in Amadeus GDS lawsuits

The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has stated that it had provided testimonial statements in support of the position of the Amadeus GDS lawsuits against American Airlines and Northwest Airlines seeking a preliminary injunction to prohibit the assessment of segment booking fees for sales on those carriers by Amadeus travel agents in the US.

“While the request for preliminary injunction was denied in the American case, Amadeus is taking steps, communicated earlier today to its subscriber agents, to protect those agents from threatened imposition of segment fees by American Airlines. Additionally, arbitration will proceed even in the absence of the injunction,” stated ASTA. “Declarations of William Maloney were submitted by Amadeus in both the federal district court in New York in the American case and in the federal bankruptcy court in New York in the Northwest case. The issue of an injunction is still pending in the bankruptcy case.”

It further shared that the Declaration document was filed under seal, due to competitive considerations, and therefore will not be available for public inspection or quotation.

ASTA members may rest assured that everything possible is being done to provide meaningful protection to travel agents, added the travel trade association with over 20,000 members in 140 countries.

Throughout the dealings, ASTA has and will continue to call on AA and Sabre to return to the bargaining table to swiftly resolve differences to create a stable business environment for the benefit our mutual customers prior to September 1.