US: AAI proves airline merger battle not over

Weeks after the US Department of Justice settled with US Airways and American Airlines over their proposed merger, reports say the new airline – the largest in the world – is still facing resistance as it begins integration operations.

Reports say the American Antitrust Institute and consumer travel groups have filed a complaint with the DOJ over the regulator’s settlement, and have called upon the body to revise that settlement.

The group threatened to go to trial if a new settlement isn’t reached.

Reports say the filing was made under stipulation the settlement remains under a review period.

”The Department’s suggestion that the settlement is a ‘better deal’ for consumers than blocking the merger outright is speculative and does not withstand the scrutiny,” the filing said.

The DOJ sued the airlines last August to block the merger as opponents argued the merger would create a monopoly on several air routes. The parties settled last December.

Full Content: Tulsa World

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