Orbitz, Worldspan Swap Suits

Global distribution system operator Worldspan and Cendant subsidiary Orbitz last month filed lawsuits against one another in developments that could result in a severed relationship. Worldspan currently processes many Orbitz transactions as part of an agreement running through 2011, though Orbitz parent Cendant also owns Worldspan GDS rival Galileo.

The Orbitz suit alleges consumer fraud, claiming Worldspan "induced" Orbitz into revising agreements by "failing to reveal its position" on a number of issues including decisions related to low-cost carrier participation and plans to terminate a relationship with one-time mutual partner ITA Software.

In response, Worldspan's suit alleges Orbitz abuses, including data theft and improper access to and use of Worldspan information. Much of the dispute centers on the Orbitz Supplier Link program, which Orbitz has positioned as independent of global distribution systems. Worldspan, however, said, "Orbitz relies on GDS services for each and every airline segment booked through Orbitz, even where Orbitz characterizes them as direct-connect segments."

The Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill., has set Jan. 12, 2006, as the court date for the lawsuit brought by Orbitz.