US: Delta selects its antitrust attorneys

Delta Air Lines  has called on antitrust powerhouse Boies, Schiller & Flexner to fend off a suit alleging that the airline colluded with other carriers to fix prices for multicity journeys.

Oakland-based attorney John Cove entered an appearance on behalf of Delta in the case last Thursday. James Denvir and Michael Mitchell of the firm’s Washington office were granted pro hac vice status on Monday.

The other defendants in the case—American Airlines Group Inc., United Continental Holdings Inc. and the Airline Tariff Publishing Co.—have yet to name attorneys to the case.

The lawsuit was filed against the companies earlier this month in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by San Francisco-based Joseph M. Alioto of The Alioto Law Firm. It was lodged on behalf of passengers and travel agents and alleges that the companies breached antitrust laws by cooperating to make policy changes that raised prices for multicity trips.

A hearing has been set for May 13 on the plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order preventing the airlines from implementing the policy changes. US District Senior Judge Maxine Chesney is presiding over the case.

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