British Airways’ plan to join forces with American Airlines has met with initial approval from the US Department of Transportation (DoT), to the outrage of Virgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson.
The DoT has found that granting anti-trust immunity to the two companies and three of their partners, including British Airway’s intended merger partner Iberia, would enhance competition with the Star Alliance and SkyTeam alliance.
It would also “provide travellers and shippers with a variety of benefits, including lower fares on more routes, increased services, better schedules and reduced travel and connection times.”
The DoT has made approval conditional on four pairs of take-off and landing slots at Heathrow being made available to competitors, and has invited interested parties to show cause within 45 days why the proposed decision should not be made final.
Rival Virgin Atlantic boss Sir Richard Branson blasted the decision yesterday, saying it was a “real kick in the teeth for consumers”.
“The US Department of Justice, who are the experts in competition issues, called for strict remedies to protect the public interest, because the alliance will harm competitions and the consumer.”
A British Airways spokesman said: “British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia plan to operate a joint business between North America and Europe. Read full post…
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