American Airlines (AA) has announced it is “cooperating” with the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice.
According to a statement from the US carrier, the DoJ is “investigating” whether conduct by global distribution systems (GDSs) has “violated” US antitrust laws.
AA received a civil investigative demand from the DoJ, which means the airline is required by law to cooperate with the government body’s enquiries and provide relevant information.
The airline added: “American welcomes this investigation by the Department of Justice and intends to cooperate fully.”
AA is currently in the process of suing GDS provider Travelport, which owns and operates the Galileo and Worldspan systems, for “anticompetitive business practices”.
Meanwhile Travelport is suing AA for breach of contract after the carrier removed its fares from online travel agency Orbitz.
Other GDS providers include Sabre, which is currently being sued by US Airways for “anticompetitive and anticonsumer practices”, and Amadeus.