Microsoft Takes Over Travel Start-Up Site Farecast

Microsoft has acquired travel search site Farecast, as a development to the agreement signed by the two parties in 2007 to launch a part of the start-up’s technology on MSN travel site.

Thomson Financial quoted Whitney Burk, spokeswoman of Microsoft, as saying that the employees of Farecast would be absorbed by Microsoft. She, however, did not disclose more details about the deal.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer quoted a statement from Microsoft as saying: “Farecast has been a partner of ours on MSN Travel and we look forward to working closely with the Farecast team to incorporate and apply its technology in new and interesting ways.”

Farecast predicts fluctuations in air fares, thus helping travelers decide when to buy tickets for their trips. It also suggests travelers on where to stay during their vacations.