The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) alleges that American Airlines has caused significant harm to consumers, travel agencies and TMCs with its implementation of NDC technology.
It has filed a complaint with the US DOT asking that body to force AA to undo the action that last April, saw the airline remove 40% of its fare inventory from non-NDC booking channels.
Now, ASTA has submitted a draft complaint to the US DOT, alleging that AA’s implementation of NDC technology (which began in April this year) constitutes an unfair trade practice, warranting immediate action by DOT.
The filing alleges that AA caused significant economic and non-economic injury to consumers, travel agencies and TMCs when, among other things, it removed 40% of its fare inventory from the established EDIFACT distribution channel. That action has resulted in substantially higher air ticket prices for consumers and frustrated TMCs and their clients in fulfilling the duty of care owed to business travellers.
ASTA is now calling on the DOT to “exercise its statutory authority to enjoin AA from continuing this practice, to restore access to all fares in all channels and to undertake a comprehensive review of the current state of competition in the domestic airline industry”.
Joining ASTA in the filing were the Travel Management Coalition, the Business Travel Association (U.K.) and FOLATUR, a Latin American travel forum.
ASTA says it expects further engagement with DOT on this issue.
