FlightAware sues Kalshi over flight data misuse

FlightAware has filed a lawsuit against Kalshi, accusing the trading platform of misappropriating its flight cancellation data for use in financial contracts.

The complaint, filed in a Texas court, alleges that Kalshi’s use of the data constitutes trademark infringement and causes injury to FlightAware’s reputation. The legal action also cites state authorities who have compared Kalshi’s contracts to gambling, though the lawsuit does not directly address regulatory concerns.

FlightAware, which provides real-time aviation data, claims Kalshi’s contracts—based on flight cancellation rates—violate its intellectual property rights and mislead traders about the data’s origin. The company is seeking damages and an injunction to prevent further unauthorized use of its data.

Kalshi, a derivatives exchange specializing in event-based contracts, has not publicly responded to the allegations. The lawsuit highlights growing tensions between data providers and financial platforms over the use of proprietary information in tradable products.

FlightAware’s legal filing underscores the broader debate over data ownership and licensing in financial markets, where real-time information is increasingly monetized through derivatives and prediction markets.