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"Because of the size of the airline industry, if this merger were approved, even a small increase in the price of airline tickets, checked bags, or flight change fees would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of harm to American consumers annually,"
Millions of passengers depend on the airline industry to travel quickly, efficiently, and safely between various cities in the United States and throughout the world. Since 1978, the nation has relied on competition among airlines to promote affordability, innovation, and service and quality improvements.
In recent years, however, the major airlines have, in tandem, raised fares, imposed new and higher fees, and reduced service. Competition has diminished and consumers have paid a heavy price.
This merger—by creating the world’s largest airline— would, in the words of US Airways’ management, “finish[ ] industry evolution.” It would reduce the number of major domestic airlines from five to four, and the number of “legacy” airlines—today, Delta, United, American, and US Airways—from four to three. In so doing, it threatens substantial harm to consumers.
Because of the size of the airline industry, if this merger were approved, even a small increase in the price of airline tickets, checked bags, or flight change fees would cause hundreds of millions of dollars of harm to American consumers annually.
Today’s legal action was prompted by the State’s concerns about the potential for reduced airline service to several of Texas’ smaller airports that are currently served exclusively by American Airlines and American Eagle flights. In recent years, U.S. Airways has pursued a “capacity discipline” strategy, a business model that relies upon substantial reductions in both service and capacity – a phenomenon that has followed each significant legacy airline merger in recent years. If this strategy is continued when U.S. Airways’ executives take over leadership at the new American Airlines, some areas in rural Texas could see their travel options reduced as a result of the merger.
American Airlines and U.S. Airways compete directly on thousands of heavily traveled nonstop and connecting routes, including nearly 200 routes beginning or ending in Texas cities. According to the State’s antitrust complaint, the proposed merger would result in decreased competition, higher airfares and fees, reduced service and downgraded amenities. The dollar impact nationwide could exceed $100 million a year.
The merger would make a combined U.S. Airways/American Airlines the largest worldwide carrier and reduce the number of the larger “legacy” airlines from four to three – U.S. Airways/American, United/Continental and Delta/Northwest – and the number of major airlines from five to four. If the merger were approved, the three remaining legacy airlines combined with Southwest Airlines would account for more than 80 percent of domestic travel.
Originally posted by Wrabbit2000
Why not just call it all Air America and be done with the illusions?
Fly Air America! '
Where we can screw you at more gates, in more time zones at the same time than anyone else'!
Originally posted by Wrabbit2000
reply to post by benrl
It sounds like there is plenty being smuggled between TSA agents letting it through and airline employees making sure some never gets near the TSA in the first place. lol.....
It's a 3 ring circus of corruption mixed with flaming incompetence, all wrapped in "Must have" legislation that requires nothing change or improve. You can't make the stuff up. Why not merge into the World's largest monument to what could have been but failed on the way?
Originally posted by iwilliam
This is good to see. Refreshing.
But I do find myself wondering, with my inquisitive and skeptical mind, why the government is blocking this action, when they seem to allow monopolies or near-monopolies in plenty of other industries in various areas....