American Airlines wins key ruling in antitrust case against Sabre

A person checks in his baggage at the American Airways look at-in counter at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 9, 2013. REUTERS/Mark Makela

(Reuters) – American Airways Team Inc gained a ruling in Manhattan federal courtroom that clears a path for a new demo up coming thirty day period on its claims that flight-booking support Sabre Corp abused its current market electricity and brought on the airline $300 million in overcharges and shed income.

U.S. District Decide Lorna Schofield on Thursday rejected Sabre’s bid to throw out a lawsuit that initial commenced in 2011 by then-US Airways, which merged 3 years later with American Airways.

Southlake, Texas-primarily based Sabre is the country’s biggest operator and operator of an electronic community by which journey brokers look for and e book flights that are outlined by the airways. Most company air travel is booked by the industry’s global distribution programs.

American Airways has accused Sabre of setting restrictive deal terms and abnormal costs, which the corporation has denied. The airline mentioned in courtroom filings that far more than $3.5 billion of US Airways’ earnings, or 35%, was booked by way of Sabre from 2010 to 2012
.

A agent for Sabre declined to remark on Friday. A spokesperson for American Airlines explained the firm was “pleased” with the court’s ruling.

American Airways in December 2016 received about $15.3 million at an before trial in the scenario that centered on the airline’s assert of restrictive deal terms. Damages were limited to alleged overcharges paid out by the carrier.

Making use of new U.S. Supreme Court docket precedent, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals in 2019 erased that jury verdict and revived the airline’s declare that Sabre was a monopolist.

Legal professionals for American Airlines at the new trial can question a jury to award shed financial gain and overcharge damages stemming from the company’s 2011 deal with Sabre and a broader monopolization assert that focuses on Sabre’s carry out in the market.

While allowing for the case to transfer to trial, Schofield’s buy on Thursday yet again limited the damages American can search for from Sabre by locating its claims associated to an before 2006 agreement between the organizations are now as well stale.

The circumstance is US Airways Inc v. Sabre Holdings Corp, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, No 1:11-cv-02725-LGS.

For plaintiff: Andrew Frackman, Ian Simmons and Katrina Robson of O’Melveny & Myers and Paul Yetter of Yetter Coleman

For defendant: Patrick Fitzgerald, Steven Sunshine and Boris Bershteyn of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Go through extra:

American Airways wins $15 million in antitrust situation versus Sabre

U.S. decide narrows US Airways pricing lawsuit vs Sabre

(Editor’s take note: This report was current with comment from American Airlines.)

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