Airlines Merger Plan Shock

摘要

The US Government and six US States are suing American Airlines (AA) and US Airways in a bid to stop the merger of both carriers that would create the world's largest airline. As Airliner World went to press the deal remained in limbo and a federal judge will decide on any court date. The airlines have suggested November, but the US Justice Department wants to delay the trial until next March; a final decision is pending. Opponents to the merger have argued in representations to US District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly: "By further reducing the number of legacy airlines and aligning the economic incentives for those that remain, the merger of US Airways and AA would make it easier for the remaining airlines to co-operate, rather than compete, on price and service. This would hurt competition and cost passengers hundreds of millions of dollars a year in higher fares and extra fees." Away from the merger discussions, AA's parent AMR Corp has told a US bank-ruptcyjudge that its re-organisation plan should be confirmed despite the Justice Department's lawsuit. AMR Corp said its plan lays out a timescale describing what would happen if regulatory approvalfor the merger is delayed.