Amadeus Takes Legal Action Against Northwest, American

GDS provider Amadeus informed travel agents in a letter of its decision to take legal action against Northwest and American airlines for imposing booking fees upon its clients. Amadeus reports that it is asking for an arbitrator to settle the issue, as well as an injunction to keep the airlines from imposing the $3.50 per segment booking fees until the matter is sorted out. The new fee structure is set to take effect Sept. 1. In the letter to travel agents, Amadeus spelled out its thinking on the matter, saying, "In Amadeus' view, the imposition of a surcharge by American and Northwest discriminates against Amadeus travel agencies in the U.S. We believe that these discriminatory actions violate the contractual relationships in place between Amadeus and these carriers."