Now Google looks set to fly into the worldwide travel business

Should Google be allowed this next big step? US regulators are thinking about it and could decide this week

Google is taking wings - into the online travel business. Reports last night said the search giant could get US approval by the end of this week to acquire the online fare tracker ITA Software for around $700 million. The deal could make Google the "hub of online travel," said insiders.There are still a few speed bumps to negotiate. One is thought to be that Google must accept conditions to protect other travel businesses .The question is: just how determined how are U.S. regulators to police Google as it uses its internet power to sweep into other markets? If the deal gets the green light, Google would control software that drives the reservation systems of major U.S. airlines and online fare-comparison services, Kayak, TripAdvisor and Hotwire to name but three .Google's case is that it wants to use ITA to give the public better ways to search for plane tickets. Of course, that would also let Google command higher ad rates from the galaxy of companies in the travel businessThe deep down fear of rivals is that Google could use ITA to build an online travel service of its own and then use its hold over Internet search to steer buyers there, while rival sites would be much further down the search rankings. The EC and the Texas attorney general are already probing if Google manipulates search results to extend its monopoly into other online businesses.