Google will close QPX api for flight information next year

Google has announced that it will discontinue its QPX Express flight information API next year. The search giant will keep the API up and running until April 10, 2018, but access will no longer be possible after that date.

In an updated version of its faq, which was noticed by an HN user, Google writes that no new users can access the api until that date. The company advises current users to find an alternative and reports that it will lower the price per query by 40 percent to $0.02. Via the API, users, for example travel agencies, can request information about flights in the US and international flights.

According to TechCrunch, the api is used by Bing Travel and CheapTickets, among others. However, it is unclear exactly how many active users there are. In a statement to the site, Google said there was little interest among its partners. QPX Enterprise will continue to exist, the company confirmed.

Google was given permission in 2011 to acquire ITA, a maker of flight information software including QPX, if it met certain conditions. One of those conditions was that Google would continue to offer the software on reasonable terms to existing and new customers for a period of five years. This period has now ended.