ATW Daily News

Continental, United remain 'confident' in ATI approval

Wednesday July 1, 2009

Continental Airlines and United Airlines told ATWOnline yesterday that they remain "confident" their application for antitrust immunity will be approved despite the vehement objections raised recently by the US Dept. of Justice.

"We are confident the application will be approved for the benefit of our employees, customers and the communities we serve," a UA spokesperson told this website, while a CO spokesperson said, "We appreciate that DOJ has submitted its comments, which will allow [the Dept. of Transportation] to close the docket and move forward with the application. We remain confident that DOT will approve our application."

CO went on to argue that Star Alliance ATI "is necessary to correct the competitive imbalance that now exists and safeguard our future. Widespread competition will continue to exist as it does with other airlines' participation in antitrust immunized alliances. Domestically and globally, the airline industry is highly fragmented, and antitrust immunity can help airlines serve broad consumer needs in the context of alliances. In this economic crisis, it is more important than ever for the US government not to hamper our industry's and company's efforts to remain competitive and serve our consumers and communities."

The airline said it would address DOJ's specific arguments in its own response to be filed with DOT (ATWOnline, June 30).

by ATWOnline Staff

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