U.S. DOT grants tentative antitrust immunity approval to United, Continental, ANA
06-Oct-2010 The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today proposed to grant antitrust immunity that would enable United Airlines, Continental Airlines and ANA to expand their alliance relationship, resulting in enhanced competition, increased fare options and improved schedules and service in trans-Pacific markets.
"We are pleased with DOT's action today, and look forward to offering our customers the full range of benefits under our alliance with ANA"
Benefits of antitrust immunity also include reduced travel times and connection times for passenger and cargo travel, the DOT tentatively found in today's show-cause order.
Upon final approval of antitrust immunity and the signing of an Open Skies aviation agreement between the United States and Japan, United and Continental intend to establish with ANA a first-of-its-kind trans-Pacific joint venture, jointly managing activities including scheduling, pricing and sales and offering customers a greater selection of routings and a wider range of fare and service options.
"We are pleased with DOT's action today, and look forward to offering our customers the full range of benefits under our alliance with ANA," said Jeff Smisek, president and chief executive officer of United Airlines. "We thank the DOT for their thoughtful review, and look forward to final approval."