Northwest Rescinds Controversial GDS Fee

Northwest Airlines on Sept. 2 rescinded a policy to levy fees on travel agent bookings made through global distribution systems. The reversal came after 10 days of sharp criticism from GDS companies, travel agents, trade groups and corporate clients who said they were shifting bookings away from the carrier. A Northwest official said agencies would not be billed for the GDS fee that was in place for less than two days.