American Airlines has reiterated claims it wants to reach a "fair settlement" with Sabre and customers booking GDS-connected agents will not be affected in the upcoming antitrust trial.
In a letter to agents this week, vice president of global sales, Derek DeCross, says the carrier expects the trial to conclude by mid-December and a new relationship will be in place "under a new agreement" within 14 days of its end.
Jury selection was due to begin on 9 October ahead of evidence being heard from 22 October in the Texas State Court, the culmination of months of preparation in the midst of the carrier also being involved in continued rumours about its future and a possible merger with US Airways.
The case centres on the long-running saga (with claims and counter-claims) over American’s move to provide flight information directly to travel agents rather than going through the the global distribution systems, using its famed Direct-Connect model.
Hearings have been pushed back fairly regularly throughout 2012 as both sides have pored over one another's agreements and contracts.
But with the end now nigh, at least in terms of the trial, American is probably looking to ease concerns circulating in the agency community that the ability to make bookings may be affected in the coming weeks.
DeCross says:
"I want to emphasize that regardless of what happens before, during or after the trial, American fully intends to continue participating in Sabre to ensure no disruption of your ability to continue booking American flights."
Jury deliberations are due to begin on 11 December.
NB:American Airlines aircraft image via Shutterstock.