Press Release
April 16, 2001
CHICAGO, IL -- Jeff Katz, chairman, president and CEO of Orbitz, the new travel website, April 13 released the
following statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation's decision in favor of Orbitz:
``Orbitz continues moving full-speed toward its June launch following today's release of a DOT letter giving Orbitz
the green light.
``After an exhaustive review of our business plan and corporate documents, the DOT has clearly confirmed our position
that Orbitz is pro-competitive and fully compliant with the law. Consumers will soon be the real winners with the
launch of an additional competitor in the online travel industry.
``Already, almost 25,000 consumers are booking tickets on Orbitz and responding positively to our advanced-technology
'beta' site, and the number continues to grow each day. Orbitz looks forward to continued discussions with DOT
as we report our progress in providing consumers with more fare, flight and travel choices in a guaranteed unbiased
display, while delivering cost savings to consumers, airlines and other travel providers.
``The DOT concluded that 'Orbitz may lead to substantial consumer benefits by establishing another major competitor
in the comprehensive online travel agency marketplace.'
``As the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington has said, travel industry middlemen have led a well-funded,
year-long effort to persuade regulators to put barriers in the way of Orbitz' new Internet technology--technology
that promises more cost-efficient delivery of travel products and services to consumers. The DOT's decision makes
it clear that each of these middlemen's allegations have been examined in depth and found to be baseless.
``Washington will continue to debate a tax cut, but today's announcement by DOT guarantees that in weeks, consumers
are going to at least get a break on the prices they will pay for air travel because of Orbitz.''
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Contact:
Orbitz
Carol Jouzaitis, 312/894-4774
312/399-1574 cell
carol@orbitz.com
or
Stacey Spencer, 312/894-4739
312/952-5253 cell
sspencer@orbitz.com