FlightAware Drops Lawsuit Against Kalshi After Its Name Is Removed From Markets

^{Grapevine International Airport, Texas, USA / © Shutterstock}

U.S. flight-tracking company FlightAware has withdrawn its lawsuit against prediction-market platform Kalshi over the use of its data for markets on flight cancellations, according to court filings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

FlightAware voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning it retains the right to bring the same claims again in the future.

The court documents do not state why the company decided to drop the case, and neither FlightAware nor Kalshi has publicly commented on the decision.

Screenshot from CourtListener

Following the dispute, Kalshi changed the way its flight-cancellation markets are presented. The market pages previously stated explicitly that outcomes would be verified using FlightAware data. FlightAware’s name has since been replaced with the phrase “Primary Source Agency,” although the accompanying link still directs users to FlightAware’s website.

Kalshi has also added a disclaimer stating that the data source does not endorse the markets and is not affiliated with the platform.

Screenshot from Kalshi

However, the contract terms Kalshi filed with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in July still identify FlightAware as the primary source used to determine market outcomes. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics is listed as the backup source.

The reason for the swift end to the legal dispute remains unclear. However, the changes to Kalshi’s website may suggest that the two sides reached a compromise over the use of FlightAware’s name and data. There is no confirmation of an out-of-court settlement or any financial payment.

FlightAware had sued Kalshi over the use of its data and brand name in determining the outcome of flight-cancellation markets. The company sought an injunction barring such use as well as monetary damages.