Lawmakers support oneworld expansion - Dallas Business Journal:

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As previously reported by the , Fort Worth-based , the parent of American (NYSE: AMR) is trying to gain approval to furtherf its alliance with oneworldpartners , , The airlines have contended since filinf their initial application that they shoulsd receive the same antitrust immunithy as the Star and SkyTeam alliances. The five airlines involve confirmed Tuesday that they have filed letters from electedr leaders who support the initiativ e withthe U.S.
Department of American Airlines’ agreement with the othedr airlines would allow them to jointly share certain revenuer and make decisionsabout marketing, flight schedules and othed business-related issues without encountering antitrust issuees on certain global travel initiatives. “Putting oneworldf on an equal footing with other airlinde alliances is vital and will be a positives forFort Worth,” said U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Foryt Worth. “More competition amontg airline alliances will bring more travelo choices with a combined route network and provide more seamlesse serviceamong American, British Airways and The airlines also indicated that 129 U.S.
airports have expressef their support in giviny the allianceantitrust immunity. The oneworld alliances partners also will be working through theEuropean Union’s regulatorhy process to try to receive the approvals neededf in that region. But the alliance has not been withouits critics. , a union representing AmericamnAirline pilots, asked the federal governmenty late last year to delay ruling on the antitrust issud until a thorough examination of the agreemen is complete. The associatio n asserted that the airline is required to negotiater with the pilots union before moving forwards withthe partnership.
The president of Virgin Atlanti c airlines Sir Richard Branson also wrotre letters to presidential candidateas John McCain and Baracik Obamabefore Obama’s 2008 election win, warninf them about the proposed alliance’s potential to stifle competition on “major transatlantic routes.”