Amadeus this week suspended its court motion that sought to bar Northwest Airlines from imposing a $3.50 per-segment booking fee on the global distribution system's subscribers—set to go into effect Sept. 1. A U.S. district court in New York last week rejected a similar attempted injunction by the GDS against American Airlines
(BTNonline, Aug. 24).
"Amadeus requested, and Northwest agreed, to postpone the hearing which was scheduled to take place yesterday. This will give Amadeus and Northwest further opportunity to come to a mutual agreement regarding their ongoing commercial relationship," Amadeus today said in a statement.
A Northwest spokesperson today said that beginning Friday, Amadeus subscribers would be subject to its $3.50 per-segment fee. While Northwest said it remains in discussions with the GDS to come to new content terms, the parties "remain far apart on coming to an agreement."
However, Amadeus said it would absorb the $3.50 charge on Northwest bookings, as it also plans to do with bookings on American
(BTNonline, Aug. 25). "Beginning Sept. 1, and until such time as we may further advise you, Amadeus will reimburse its agencies for all of the announced segment surcharges incurred on both Northwest and American Airline bookings made via the Amadeus System," the GDS said in a statement. "At this time, we do not anticipate any impact to agency incentives related to this interim relief measure. We will provide you with advance notice of any anticipated changes to this reimbursement program."