Alexandria, Va., Aug. 25, 2006 – The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) announced today that it had provided testimonial statements in support of the position of the Amadeus GDS lawsuits against American Airlines and Northwest Airlines seeking a preliminary injunction to prohibit the assessment of segment booking fees for sales on those carriers by Amadeus travel agents in the United States.

While the request for preliminary injunction was denied in the American case, Amadeus is taking steps, communicated earlier today to its subscriber agents, to protect those agents from threatened imposition of segment fees by American Airlines. Additionally, arbitration will proceed even in the absence of the injunction.

Declarations of William Maloney were submitted by Amadeus in both the federal district court in New York in the American case and in the federal bankruptcy court in New York in the Northwest case. The issue of an injunction is still pending in the bankruptcy case.

The Declaration document was filed under seal, due to competitive considerations, and therefore will not be available for public inspection or quotation. ASTA members may rest assured that everything possible is being done to provide meaningful protection to travel agents.

Throughout the dealings, ASTA has and will continue to call on AA and Sabre to return to the bargaining table to swiftly resolve differences to create a stable business environment for the benefit our mutual customers prior to September 1.

ABOUT ASTA
The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents and its affiliated organizations is to enhance the professionalism and profitability of members worldwide through effective representation in industry and government affairs, education and training, and by identifying and meeting the needs of the traveling public. The Society is the world's largest and most influential travel trade association with over 20,000 members in 140 countries.