March 5, 2009
The U.S. House Transportation Committee approved a broad Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill on Thursday that could make it tougher for U.S. and foreign airlines to form alliances.
The bill also would tighten restrictions on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines. The bill was approved by a voice vote.
Under the bill, airlines that have been granted antitrust immunity would lose that immunity three years from when the legislation is signed into law unless the Transportation Department acted to retain the alliance. The government would also review the impact of global alliances on competition.
The U.S. Air Transport Association has warned that such terminations of alliances would be “tremendously unfair” and cost up to 15,000 airline jobs.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090305-713980.html?mod
Source: WALL STREET JOURNAL
Date: 2009-03-05