Google is shutting down an airfare search API in a setback for travel booking competitors

Google announced on Wednesday that it's shutting down an automated airfare data feed in a move that could kneecap third-party travel booking sites as the search giant pushes its own competing tools. 

The platform, which is set to close in April of next year, has been used to power pricing features on major travel services and airline sites like Orbitz and United Airlines, according to TechCrunch. A Google spokesperson told Bloomberg the shutdown was due to "low interest."

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The company did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

Google first announced the change in an FAQ posted to the data feed's web page on Tuesday. Hacker News commenters also claim feed users received an email notification as well. Read more...

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