A US federal judge has restored a years-old lawsuit allowing US Airways to press for damages worth up to $210 million against Sabre Corp.
The now defunct airline accused Sabre of unlawfully inflating booking fees.
Earlier this year, US Airways, now part of American Airlines, agreed to waive a nominal damages claim above $20 if it was able to pursue its remaining claims against Sabre.
This was initially turned down earlier this year but the carrier asked to amend its lawsuit, which has been granted provided US Airways covered some of Sabre’s legal costs.
"The interest of justice would be best served by granting the proposed amendment because this antitrust case is not just a dispute affecting the corporate litigants; it also involves claims of illegal restraints on trade that allegedly have harmed consumers through higher prices, lower quantity, less choice and reduced innovation," said US District Judge Lorna Schofield.
Under the amended claim US Airways is seeking about $70 million damages, which could be tripled to $210 million under antitrust law.
The original lawsuit dates back nearly five years after the carrier initially sued Sabre for $1.45 billion in damages.
