Google to buy flight information software firm ITA Software for $700 million

02 Jul 2010

1

Google is doling out $700 million in cash to buy flight information software company ITA Software, Inc., as the internet giant plans to get a foothold into the fast growing online travel industry.

Founded in 1996 by a team of MIT computer scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts-based ITA creates innovative solutions for the travel industry.

ITA's QPX software tool for organising flight information is used by leading airlines and travel distributors worldwide including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Bing, Continental Airlines, Hotwire, Kayak, Orbitz, Southwest Airlines, TripAdvisor, United Airlines, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and others.

ITA, which has about 500 employees, also offers a completely new airline passenger reservation system, flight information like fares and flight times.

By buying ITA, Google will compete with flight-comparison services like Kayak, FareCompare, Hotwire and Microsoft's Bing Travel.

Google  may opt to command a small cut from every consumer who clicks through to book travel on the host sites.

The deal will allow Google to pursue the creation of new flight search tools that will enable users to find better flight information more easily on the Internet.

Business History Videos

History of hovercraft Part 3 | Industry study | Business History

History of hovercraft Part 3...

Today I shall talk a bit more about the military plans for ...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of hovercraft Part 2 | Industry study | Business History

History of hovercraft Part 2...

In this episode of our history of hovercraft, we shall exam...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Hovercraft Part 1 | Industry study | Business History

History of Hovercraft Part 1...

If you’ve been a James Bond movie fan, you may recall seein...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Trams in India | Industry study | Business History

History of Trams in India | ...

The video I am presenting to you is based on a script writt...

By Aniket Gupta | Presenter: Sheetal Gaikwad

view more
View details about the software product Informachine News Trackers