WASHINGTON — Google Inc. could receive government clearance as early as today to purchase airline fare tracker ITA Software in a $700 million deal that could make the search leader the hub of online travel, a knowledgeable source said.
Although talks are ongoing and could still fall apart, Google appears close to a deal with the Justice Department on an agreement that would let it buy ITA. Google must accept government conditions to protect other companies in the travel industry, the source said.
The government review of the deal has been seen as a test of how aggressively U.S. antitrust regulators intend to police Google as the company uses the wealth gained from its dominance in Internet search to expand into other markets.
The acquisition would give Google control over software that powers the reservation systems of most major U.S. airlines and many popular online fare-comparison services.
Google has said it wants to use ITA to improve its search results for travel — giving consumers more choices and better ways to search for plane tickets.
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