Tag Archives: DOJ

Judge approves the American Airlines Group-DOJ settlement

According to Reuters, a federal judge on Friday (April 25) formally approved the November 2013 settlement between the U.S. government (Department of Justice) and American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) that merged to form the new American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth), now the world’s biggest airline group.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways’ former Star Alliance painted Airbus A319-112 N701UW (msn 890) is now painted in full American Airlines colors. N701UW, operating as an US Airways flight, arrives at the Charlotte hub.

American Airlines (current):

US Airways:

American Airlines-US Airways:

AMR asks the bankruptcy court to approve the DOJ agreement leading to a merger with US Airways Group

AMR Corporation (American Airlines) (Dallas/Fort Worth) has asked the bankruptcy court to approve the settlement agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) permitting it to merge with the US Airways Group (US Airways) (Phoenix) according to this report by Reuters. One group of consumers opposed the merger, otherwise no one is objecting to DOJ settlement according to the AMR lawyers.

Bankruptcy Court Judge Sean Lane said he would offer a ruling in 24 to 36 hours.

If approved, the new merged group would become the American Airlines Group.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The rapid repainting of the American fleet in the new 2013 look has likely hit the “tipping point” that incoming CEO Parker is now unlikely to change due to the delay in getting the merger approval. This livery will probably remain as the color scheme of the “new American” once the merger is completed. The new American is really America West Airlines (due to the ongoing management) doing business soon as American Airlines (formerly US Airways). Boeing 777-223 ER N770AN (msn 29578) climbs away from Los Angeles.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

Allied Pilots Association endorses the DOJ settlement and merger of American and US Airways

The president of the Allied Pilots Association (APA), certified collective bargaining agent for the 10,000 pilots of American Airlines, issued the following statement in response to news that the Justice Department has settled its lawsuit with American Airlines and US Airways regarding the airlines’ pending merger.

“The Allied Pilots Association leadership is pleased the DOJ and the two airlines have found a mutually acceptable way to address concerns about the merger. As we have said since the lawsuit was filed, this merger is pro-competition,” said APA President Capt. Keith Wilson. “Merging with US Airways will remedy American Airlines’ longstanding network shortfalls and put American on equal footing with Delta and United. With the merger, American will offer travelers a viable alternative to Delta and United.

“Today marks the culmination of an aggressive and unconventional strategy APA began pursuing early last year. Our primary goals were to help ensure American would survive and thrive, thereby ensuring long-term career stability for our pilots. This merger will accomplish both goals.

“With the DOJ settlement, American now has the opportunity to return to a position of industry preeminence. We look forward to working with our colleagues at the US Airline Pilots Association as we shift our focus to negotiating a joint collective bargaining agreement.”

American Airlines and US Airways consider a settlement agreement with the DOJ

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) are now considering a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) according to this report by Reuters. The reported deal would involve giving up an unspecified number of Washington Reagan National Airport slots. The trial to block the proposed merger is due to start on November 25.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. The battle and approval of the merger has always been about the “fortress” number of Reagan National slots. American’s Boeing 737-823 N924NN (man 33486) banks on the river approach into Washington’s downtown Reagan National Airport.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

The State of Texas now supports the American-US Airways merger

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) received good news in its efforts to merge. The State of Texas has dropped out of the group opposing the merger along with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Texas now supports the merger and issued this statement:

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, AMR Corporation (Dallas/Fort Worth), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., and US Airways Group, Inc. (Phoenix) have announced they have reached an agreement for the Texas Attorney General to support the proposed merger of American and US Airways.

Under the terms of the agreement, the new American Airlines will maintain scheduled daily service to more than twenty airports in Texas. In addition, the agreement provides that Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport be maintained as a large hub airport for the combined airline and that the new American will maintain its headquarters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

The State of Texas had previously joined the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) as co-plaintiff in its pending suit to block the merger of American Airlines and US Airways. With today’s agreement, the Texas Attorney General has agreed to withdraw his participation in the DOJ’s lawsuit.

“I’m pleased we were able to find common ground and gain the carefully considered support of the Attorney General in our home state,” said Tom Horton, chairman, president and CEO of AMR. “This is an important step forward for American Airlines, for Texas, and for our customers and people of both American and US Airways. Texas has long played a lead role in our company’s history, and this agreement is assurance of our commitment to maintain and enhance the outstanding levels of service and connectivity that the new American will provide to the citizens of Texas. This merger will enhance job security and career opportunities for our combined Texas based employee base of nearly 25,000. The combined airline will fly more people and more goods to more places while providing more competition to benefit customers in the U.S. and abroad. We thank Attorney General Abbott for his partnership in finding a solution and also thank the people of American and US Airways for their continued support of the merger.”

Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, said the following: “We are grateful to have the support of Attorney General Abbott. In addition, the support for the merger from the employees of American Airlines and US Airways has been overwhelming. This combination makes sense for our customers, employees and the communities we serve. We are dedicated to completing this merger on behalf of all of them.”

Texas airports included in the agreement include:

Abilene Regional Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport
Corpus Christi International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
East Texas Regional Airport
Easterwood Airport
El Paso International Airport
Houston William P. Hobby Airport
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Jack Brooks Regional Airport
Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport
Laredo International Airport
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport
McAllen-Miller International Airport
Midland International Airport
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport
San Angelo Regional Airport
San Antonio International Airport
Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
Waco Regional Airport
Wichita Falls Regional Airport

In other news, the DOJ lost its bid to delay the trial in its lawsuit to stop the merger. Many of the DOJ’s attorneys and staff were put on furlough due the government shutdown.

The “airline trial of the century” will proceed as scheduled in late November.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

November 25 set as the trial date in the American – US Airways merger request

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) will go to trial on November 25 against the Department of Justice, six states and the District of Columbia. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly set the trial date. The date was sooner than the DOJ wanted which means they will have to do their research much faster.

The DOJ, the six states and DC entered the lawsuit in the court on August 13 to block the proposed merger. This trial will probably serve as one of the final hearings in the merger request since the DOJ is critical in any approval. In other words, a judge could determine the fate of the two airlines.

The airlines are likely to argue that Southwest Airlines (which was not counted in the original DOJ data) is a formidable competitor and a merger is necessary to stay competitive against WN and other fast-growing ultra low fares carriers like Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air (they have a good point). They are also likely to argue that air fares have gone up not as a result of the recent mergers but continuously rising fuel costs.

The DOJ meanwhile would prefer to compare the AA-US merger against the previous mergers of United Airlines-Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines-Northwest Airlines and their international routes.

The other critical point bound to be discussed in detail at the trial is the slots the proposed merged carrier will have at Washington’s super high yield Reagan National Airport. The new AA would be a super carrier at DCA if the merger is now approved. AA-US will likely have to give up more concerning DCA.

Lawyers for both sides are likely to exchange millions of documents according to this report by Reuters. If you are an airline route analysis junkie, this is the “trial of the century”.

As many as 50 people could testify at the trial. Will other airline CEOs testify at the trial?

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. American’s Boeing 737-823 N989AN (msn 33205) prepares to land at Dulles International Airport in Virginia near Washington, DC.

American Airlines:

Have you seen the “new look” AirlinersGallery.com?

US Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways’ Airbus A321-231 N535UW (msn 3993) climbs away from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.