WASHINGTON -- Sabre and Microsoft are continuing to lock horns
over the question of whether the government's computerized
reservations systems rules should apply to Internet travel booking
services.
The Transportation Department, which is reviewing its
regulations for possible changes, clocked in another batch of
industry comments, including a missive from Microsoft that argues
for a hands-off policy.
Microsoft said there is no need for the government to regulate
the way airline schedules are presented on the Web by its
Expedia.com travel agency or any other Web-based service.
According to Microsoft, the DOT's old concerns about biased
displays do not apply to the Web -- an open marketplace where the
competition is just a mouse-click away.
Not so, said Sabre, which warned that travel sellers on the Web
could easily be tempted "to sell screen placement and other
preferential services to air carriers."
According to Sabre, "Airline competition depends on competition
for travel distribution. In turn, the ability of travel agents, CRS
vendors and air carriers to offer their services directly to
consumers requires open and unimpeded access to the interface, the
display screen used by consumers."
Those screens, however, are increasingly dominated by Microsoft,
Sabre said, claiming that Microsoft's Expedia enjoys "preferential
screen placement" on PCs using the latest version of Microsoft's
Windows and Internet Explorer.
Microsoft countered that "claims about browser dominance are far
beyond the scope" of the DOT's docket.
Accusing its detractors of hyperbole, Microsoft said "there has
been no evidence submitted that establishes the likelihood or
propensity of on-line travel services such as Expedia to bias
displays in ways that harm consumers."