WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) – The judge hearing the U.S.
Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against American Airlines
Group Inc and JetBlue Airways Corp said on
Monday that the trial in the matter would begin on Sept. 26,
2022.
In its lawsuit, the government asked Judge Leo Sorokin to
order the airlines to end their “Northeast Alliance”
partnership, saying it would lead to higher fares in busy
Northeastern airports.
The agreement allows American and JetBlue to sell each
other’s flights in their New York-area and Boston networks and
link frequent flyer programs, giving them more muscle to compete
with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines in the
Northeast.
American and JetBlue have denied wrongdoing and asked
Sorokin to dismiss the lawsuit.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit signaled the Biden
administration’s interest in trying to inject more competition
into the airline industry, where American and three other
airlines control 80% of the domestic market.
(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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Keywords: AMERICAN AIRLINES JETBLUE AIRWAYS/
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