A European Commission review of the regulatory framework overseeing the role the global distribution systems has hit its first stumbling block: a predictable delay in gathering responses.
Sources in Brussels close to the Commission say the "substantive delay" to the review of the GDS Code of Conduct has come about while a London-based transportation consultancy, Steer Davies Gleave, hired to produce a consolidated document containing feedback, prepares to submit its paper at the end of November.
The paper is expected to give a number of policy options and recommendations.
The deadline for responses from the GDSs - Sabre, Travelport and Amadeus - and other so-called stakeholders was originally set for early-September but was later extended for a number of weeks.
There is a growing feeling in Brussels that the original timeline for the review (with smaller changes expected to be made and possibly introduced into legislation by March 2012) was clearly far too ambitious.
A more fundamental change to the framework, which some have now called for, will probably push the date back even further into 2012.
In August this year, Travelport was the first of the main stakeholders to publicly state the need for a change to the Code of Conduct, questioning the relevancy of the "hefty" framework as the marketplace evolves, the role of the GDS changes, and the entrance of new players on the scene.
CEO Gordon Wilson maintained that the Code is a valuable tool for the display and distribution of airfares and should be modernised "for the benefit of consumers", but questions whether in its current guise it is fair for other organisations not be included.
A month later, Amadeus joined in, welcoming the review but also stating that the regulations should "maintain a neutral and level regulatory playing field for all travel industry participants "not only GDSs".