Flying into Trouble—the OneWorld Alliance and Antitrust Laws
Over the last number of years airline alliances have become an increasing reality in international travel. The Star Alliance is currently the largest of these with twenty member airlines including Lufthansa, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, British Midland International, Singapore, Air China, and U.S. Airways. Another significant player is the OneWorld Alliance that has eleven member airlines that includes British Airways, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific Iberian, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian. SkyTeam is the third main grouping and includes Air France, Delta Airlines, and Aeroflot.
The U.S. Department of Justice, however, does not always think these alliances are good for business. In a recent ruling against given members of the OneWorld Alliance including British Airways and American Airlines, the Department of Justice indicated that OneWorld’s third proposal to expand their alliance could result in “competitive harm” on six transatlantic routes. As a compromise the Department of Justice proposed that OneWorld give up some of its lucrative slots at congested airports including London’s Heathrow Airport.
To make matters more complicated, it is the Department of Transportation, not the Department of Justice that has the final say on airline regulation in the United States. OneWorld points out that the Department of Transportation overruled similar concerns from the Department of Justice to approve a Star Alliance proposal earlier this year. As a result, OneWorld have indicated that they will issue a “robust response” to the Department of Justice recommendations.
In Europe the European Commission has also expressed reservations about the OneWorld proposal. In addition, Virgin Atlantic, which isn’t a member of any alliance, has repeatedly called for the Department of Transportation to reject OneWorld’s anti-competitive application.
Source: Doug Cameron “Justice Department Objects to OneWorld Extension” the Wall Street Journal, December 21, 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice, however, does not always think these alliances are good for business. In a recent ruling against given members of the OneWorld Alliance including British Airways and American Airlines, the Department of Justice indicated that OneWorld’s third proposal to expand their alliance could result in “competitive harm” on six transatlantic routes. As a compromise the Department of Justice proposed that OneWorld give up some of its lucrative slots at congested airports including London’s Heathrow Airport.
To make matters more complicated, it is the Department of Transportation, not the Department of Justice that has the final say on airline regulation in the United States. OneWorld points out that the Department of Transportation overruled similar concerns from the Department of Justice to approve a Star Alliance proposal earlier this year. As a result, OneWorld have indicated that they will issue a “robust response” to the Department of Justice recommendations.
In Europe the European Commission has also expressed reservations about the OneWorld proposal. In addition, Virgin Atlantic, which isn’t a member of any alliance, has repeatedly called for the Department of Transportation to reject OneWorld’s anti-competitive application.
Source: Doug Cameron “Justice Department Objects to OneWorld Extension” the Wall Street Journal, December 21, 2009