US travel sites put out by online up-start

NEWS US travel agencies have again called on government regulators to investigate airline alliance Orbitz - the online agency owned by five of America's top airlines - for anti-competitive pricing policies. In a letter to the US Department of Transport, the Interactive Travel Service Association - a group formed by Orbitz competitors including Travelocity and Expedia - claim Orbitz members were not sharing their lowest fares with other web travel agencies. The group also attacked a clause, included in contracts Orbitz has with about 30 airlines, that requires them to give Orbitz first preference on cheap charter fares. Travelocity and Expedia have filed several complaints against Orbitz since it was launched last June by Continental, Delta, American, United and Northwest Airlines, even though both travel sites have managed to hold on to their top market share rankings.