Distribution Armageddon  delayed — American Airlines and Sabre have agreed to extend their full-content agreement, for practical purposes, “well into 2012,” the airline says.
American Airlines issued a statement today saying the two parties agreed Aug. 29 that they would extend their agreement until 14 days after a Texas state court decides the airline’s antitrust claim against Sabre.
“No trial date has yet been set, but we anticipate that the proceedings could last well into 2012,” says Ryan Mikolasik, a spokesman for American Airlines. “This agreement ensures continued access to American’s content through the Sabre GDS as we continue to pursue our claims in court.”
Mikolasik says the airline in the interim “will continue talks with Sabre in an effort to define the basis of a new relationship.”
The agreement gives some peace of mind to travel agencies which were looking for options in case American Airlines’ content became unavailable or hard to find in the Sabre GDS.
The airline communicated news of the extension to its travel agency partners Aug. 29.
Initially, the agreement was set to expire at the end of August but there were a couple of extensions, leading to this most recent one into 2012.
In a letter to customers to be sent today, Sabre confirms that it has extended its agreement with American Airlines “for the duration of the airline’s Texas state lawsuit against Sabre.”
Sabre states: “We’re pleased that through this agreement there will be no disruption to your business operations during this time. We understand that this temporary extension falls short of the long-term certainty that we know you need and which we are committed to achieving.”
Sabre terms the antitrust suit a “distraction” and “baseless” and advises that it is “prepared to continue negotiations despite the legal activities.”
