Google has launched its new specialised flight booking search tool in the United States.

The launch follows fierce controversy regarding competition concerns raised by Microsoft and numerous online travel firms when the internet giant acquired ITA software, a heavily used flight booking IT firm, for $676 million (£428 million) in April. Following the bitter dispute, the tool’s launch this week has been somewhat low-key.

The system will enable Google to collect a fee from travel websites after users click a direct link to book on other websites. Currently the tool is only on offer for flights within the United States and the company told reporters from the Guardian that it has no target date or information on when it might be available on flights elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a review from Henry Harteveldt, US-based airline analyst, said the tool is not yet up to par as search results often were incomplete and/or fairly inconsistent. He also expressed disappointment that the service didn’t input flight dates or destinations into the booking website.

The news comes after the US Justice Department had allowed Google to acquire ITA earlier this year despite complaints that the company would have a distinctly unfair advantage. Google accounts for 65% of internet search traffic in the US and even far higher figures in other countries.