Well, 2011 certainly won't go down as a definitive year for airline direct-connect versus GDS distribution.
Sabre Travel Network communicated to travel agency customers today that the Texas trial date for the state antitrust litigation between American Airlines and Sabre has been delayed until June 13, 2012.
The two parties have agreed to extend their agreements through the end of a trial, ensuring that American Airlines' flight data would remain accessible in the Sabre GDS at least through that time.
"We recognize waiting that long to resolve this is not what our customers want," Chris Kroeger, senior vice president of marketing for the Sabre Travel Network, said in the email to customers. "However, as earlier communicated, we have an agreement in place with AA that will ensure your continued access to AA content through the Sabre system through the trial."
Kroeger said Sabre is "ready to get back to the negotiating table at any time" and alleged "AA prefers litigation to negotiation."
American Airlines commented: "We are looking forward to presenting the facts to the jury about Sabre's anticompetitive and retaliatory behavior."