Judge Oks Settlement In Travel Agent Case

A federal judge gave preliminary approval Thursday to a $72 million settlement reached in an antitrust lawsuit filed by travel agents against four airlines that had put a cap on agent commissions.

Judge James Rosenbaum also tentatively scheduled a final hearing on the settlement for Nov. 15.

Under the agreement reached Tuesday, American Airlines would pay $21.3 million; Delta Air Lines $20.3 million; United Airlines $19.5 million and Northwest Airlines just under $10.9 million.

The settlement does not affect the $50 commission cap instituted in February 1995 for any domestic round-trip ticket or the $25 cap on one-way fares.