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DFW International Airport applauds DOT approval of Anti-Trust Immunity for oneworld® Alliance

Direct News Source

20-Jul-2010 DFW International Airport today applauded the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for approving the joint application of the oneworld® alliance for anti-trust immunity.  

The oneworld® applicants, comprised of American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia Airlines, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian Airlines, were granted approval by the European Commission last week.

"This action finally levels the playing field for DFW, allowing American Airlines and its partners the same competitive advantages that other airline alliances and hubs have had for years," said Jeffrey P. Fegan, CEO of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). "The close cooperation this decision allows is vital to North Texas because of the consumer and economic benefits that it will bring to our region."

DFW has already seen initial benefits from the growing oneworld® alliance partnerships. British Airways has announced plans to replace its daily Boeing 777 service from DFW to London Heathrow with Boeing 747 service, meaning an additional 100 seats a day will be available starting in the fall.

The oneworld® alliance anti-trust immunity means DFW could soon benefit by way of additional international routes, any one of which can mean more than $100 million in annual economic impact for the region.

"The joint business agreement between the oneworld® partners is going to result in increased air services for the citizens of North Texas," said Joe Lopano, executive vice president for marketing and terminal management at DFW. "It will give our passengers additional connecting opportunities through Heathrow, and to some of the points that people in North Texas want to reach including India, the Middle East and Africa."

Anti-trust immunity allows airlines to engage in full commercial joint ventures in a market, and for all intents and purposes operate as a single entity within the market. Immunized partners can collaborate on pricing and revenue management, utilize the marketing resources of all joint venture carriers to promote and distribute seats in the market, and share the revenues and costs of the operation.

At DFW, American Airlines frequent fliers will be able to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on British Airways' nonstop flights to London.

DFW led a coalition of 75 airports in support of the joint application. The Airports Coalition for Alliance Benefits included active participation from Manchester, England, Baltimore-Washington (BWI) Airport and Fort Wayne, Indiana, as well as numerous domestic airports served by partners of the oneworld® alliance.