US: DOJ Sues over airline slots at Newark, cries Monopoly

The Justice Department filed suit in a New Jersey federal court Tuesday morning to block United Airlines’ efforts to acquire new takeoff and landing slots at the Newark International Airport, which it claims would give the airline a monopoly there.

Assistant Attorney General William Baer, the same prosecutor who led the case that sought to block the American Airlines merger with US Airways, announced the lawsuit on a call with reporters earlier today.

He said the suit seeks to “block United Airlines’ effort to acquire 24 takeoff and landing slots at Newark Liberty International Airport. Today, United controls over 73 percent of the slots needed to fly in and out of Newark. Our lawsuit charges United with trying to maintain and enhance its monopoly position at Newark, violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act.”

The suit also accuses Atlanta-based Delta Airlines, which agreed to sell the slots to United, which has its headquarters in Chicago.

“We are also charging United and Delta Airlines, the seller of the slots, with violating Section 1 of the Sherman Act by entering into an agreement that restrains trade,” Baer said.

Full content: Bloomberg

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