Rolling back the years...
On 18 January 2011:
Analyst: Other airlines to join American Airlines in distribution fight
American Airlines may be standing up to the GDSs by itself for now, but other airlines will eventually join the push for lower distribution costs. That’s the view of Michael Linenberg, Deutsche Bank’s US airlines analyst, who says: "I do think you are going to see the airlines do what they can to move bookings to the lowest cost distribution channels."
This was the prediction by at least one analyst two years ago, as the fight between American Airlines and its distribution partners (enemies) started ramping up ahead of verbal volleys played out in the media and, later, in the courts.
As we all now know, this particular analyst was kind of correct with his prediction - but it has since played out in a way that perhaps in 2011 seemed impossible.
IATA is spearheading the NDC project to overhaul the airline distribution model, a controversial and early-stage move by a group of airlines to fundamentally change the way carriers reach intermediaries.
On 18 January 2010:
Travelport appears to be gearing up for a big week
Travelport is refusing to comment rather than denying outright reports claiming it will this week announce its widely rumoured stock market floatation (IPO).
Indeed it was a busy week. The following day Travelport filed documents ahead of its decision to list on the London Stock Exchange.
Unfortunately the plan didn't work out and Travelport, in-mid February, pulled the IPO citing market conditions (it was around this time that a number of European countries - most notably, Greece - started experiencing significant financial difficulties, a situation which unnerved many a would-be investor across multiple sectors).
The Travelport IPO story has resurfaced regularly ever since, with CEO Gordon Wilson consistentlysaying such a move is an option for the company but that there are no immediate plans to try again.