The National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the voice of the business travel industry, today commented on American Airlines and Sabre's announcement to suspend current litigation regarding the terms of their airfare distribution agreement, set to expire in September 2011, while work is done to reach a new agreement. American Airlines and Sabre have agreed to operate as they had been prior to when the conflict began.

"Today's announcement from American Airlines and Sabre represents a positive step toward productive discussions to resolve this dispute," said Mike McCormick, Executive Director and COO, National Business Travel Association. "Ultimately, business travel buyers would foot the bill for marketplace fragmentation, so we're pleased to see their voice is being considered and that American Airlines and Sabre are working together to find an approach that will work for everyone: business travel buyers and travelers, airlines, GDSs, and consumers."

"NBTA will redouble its efforts in the coming months to ensure that business travel buyers are heard as we continue to push for greater transparency, access and competition in the travel distribution marketplace. We will also work to explore these issues further at our upcoming Masters Program and across our membership networking platforms," he added.

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA's members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA delivers world-class education, events, research, advocacy, and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of GBTA, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and a better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy.

Jamie Colunga
Sloane PR for NBTA
212-446-1877
GBTA

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