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Airlines

Global Antitrust Immunity for oneworld Airlines Gains Broad Support

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

More than 485 for-profit organizations, spanning over 33 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Spain, have expressed their support for granting global antitrust immunity to five oneworld(R) airlines. This move aims to create a level playing field, allowing American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia Airlines, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian to compete more effectively with other airline alliances.

These corporations and small businesses join over 600 travel industry organizations, including the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) and the American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA), in advocating for antitrust immunity. They believe it will enable the oneworld applicants to better coordinate service, schedules, and fares on international routes and offer more attractive options for business travelers.

Key Takeaways:

  • 485 for-profit organizations have sent letters to the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of antitrust immunity for oneworld airlines.
  • This includes corporations and small businesses in 33 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Spain.
  • The oneworld alliance will provide benefits to businesses, consumers, and communities through antitrust immunity.
  • The combined route networks of American, British Airways, and Iberia will offer seamless service to approximately 423 destinations in 106 countries with 5,250 daily departures worldwide.
  • Immunized alliances create new online connections and frequencies by combining existing networks and provide incentives for participating airlines to begin serving new nonstop routes.
  • Antitrust immunity will enable oneworld airlines to compete more effectively with SkyTeam and Star alliances, allowing them to deliver more attractive options for business travelers.

Statistics:

  • 485 for-profit organizations have expressed support for antitrust immunity for oneworld airlines.
  • The oneworld alliance operates 8,951 daily departures to 663 destinations in 134 countries.
  • Removing antitrust immunity will provide benefits to businesses, consumers, and communities all.
  • 31,000 city-pairs between the U.S. and Europe will see improved travel options with an immunized oneworld.

Sources:

  • American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia Airlines, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian
  • Business Travel Coalition (BTC)
  • American Small Business Travelers Alliance (ASBTA)
  • Journal of Transportation editors
  • VerticalNews.com

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