Google-ITA Software deal: Kayak testing other vendors

Kayak is aggressively testing alternatives to ITA Software’s QPX solution for air shopping and pricing, according to industry sources.

Kayak has been checking out offerings from Expedia, Amadeus, Travelport, Sabre and Vayant, industry sources say.

All of the above companies offer products that they would hold up as alternatives to QPX, although Expedia and Sabre haven’t been aggressive in commercializing their offerings.

It doesn’t appear that Kayak is making any imminent moves to replace ITA Software, which is just one of the solutions it uses to access air content and pricing.

Google has pledged to maintain ITA Software’s contracts if its pending acquisition of ITA Software wins approval and closes.

But, Kayak certainly isn’t alone in weighing possible replacements.

In one way, news that Kayak is testing other companies’ products would not be an unwelcome development for ITA Software and Google.

They are anxious to prove that the acquisition is not anticompetitive so the more viable other vendors’ products seem to be, the easier sell the marriage would be to regulators.