However, the DOT does not buy ACTA's "transparency" argument and specifically chose not to rule on such fare and fee displays, citing a lack of information and a concern for "unintended consequences" that would not be in the public interest by forcing airlines to provide such data to GDSs. The DOT also stated that it does not want to interfere with airline/GDS negotiations.

Despite ACTA's rhetoric, the fact remains that many tools already in the marketplace provide the very fare and fee comparisons which ACTA claims is not available. More importantly, these tools continue to grow in number and content because new technology has given airlines an affordable price point to include this data - a price structure which most all legacy GDSs are unwilling to offer.

"The handwriting is on the wall, and nothing ACTA says is going to erase it. GDSs are out-of-step with the needs of both travel agents and airlines because the GDSs are too top-heavy to reduce their oppressive industry fees and improve their data handling and connectivity. Agents will continue to experience ever-widening gaps as content slowly, but surely, shifts out of the GDS channel and into alternative agency distribution platforms. ACTA wants to preserve the status quo at a time when airlines are developing more direct connect relationships with travel agents and the innovative technology companies which empower them. ACTA's blindness to the new realities of travel distribution is clearly the result of its insatiable dependence on partnership revenues from the legacy GDSs, most notably Sabre", said ARTA Canada President Bruce Bishins, CTC.

In a related DOT regulatory matter, ACTA President David McCaig states that he intends on pressing the Canadian Government to match the new passenger protection rules enacted by the U.S. DOT.

"McCaig obviously doesn't understand the airline industry in Canada, nor does he appreciate the functional and commercial differences between airline operations in Canada versus the USA. Punishing airlines in Canada for some limited high profile irregular situations in the USA is not the way to protect passengers, nor enable Canada's airline community to deal with our unique flying environment. There are too many cost differences, overlapping regulations, and other variances to use a "one size fits all" approach to improving passenger rights and expectations. ACTA is doing a gross disservice to the airlines which operate in Canada", added Bishins.