Oneworld Airlines Secure Support from 323 Organizations in Antitrust Immunity Bid

The oneworld airline alliance, comprised of American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian, has filed letters of support with the U.S. Department of Transportation from a multitude of organizations, including 216 nonprofits, 107 chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations. This broad array of support underscores the potential benefits of global antitrust immunity for consumers and communities worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

• The oneworld airline alliance has secured support from 323 organizations, including 216 nonprofits and 107 chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and visitors bureaus.
• These organizations represent thousands of individual businesses, communities, destinations, and regions.
• The alliance is seeking antitrust immunity to level the playing field with the Star and SkyTeam alliances.
• Immunized alliances can create new online connections and frequencies by combining existing networks.
• Participating airlines, including American, British Airways, and Iberia, would offer seamless service to approximately 423 destinations in 106 countries with 5,250 daily departures worldwide.
• The tighter relationships enabled by immunity provide incentives for participating airlines to price more efficiently, resulting in greater expected availability of lower fares and more travel choices.
• Other benefits include expanded opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles, reciprocal airport lounge access, and reinvigorated competition.
• The oneworld alliance will finally be allowed to compete on equal footing with other global air alliances that have longstanding immunity.

Statistics:

• 323 organizations have filed letters of support for the oneworld airline alliance's bid for antitrust immunity.
• The alliance represents 8,951 daily departures to 663 destinations in 134 countries.
• Participating airlines would offer seamless service to approximately 423 destinations in 106 countries with 5,250 daily departures worldwide.
• 216 nonprofits have expressed support, including League of United Latin American Citizens, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and Elton John AIDS Foundation.
• 107 chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and visitors bureaus have also voiced support, including Greater Boston Chamber, Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Business Roundtable.

Sources:

• American Airlines via NewsRx.com
• AIDS Weekly editors via NewsRx.com
• www.moretravelchoices.com