James Oberstar: “I am deeply troubled over the possibility of mergers of major domestic airlines. Many observers have predicted that if…”

“I am deeply troubled over the possibility of mergers of major domestic airlines. Many observers have predicted that if the proposed merger of United Airlines and US Airways is allowed to proceed, it will be followed by mergers of other major carriers, and soon we will have an industry dominated by three mega-carriers. This would be devastating to consumers. The father of deregulation, Alfred Kahn, observed ``Because of the United-US Airways threatening to set off a series of imitative mergers that would substantially increase the concentration of the domestic industry, there is a possible jeopardy here to the many billions of dollars that consumers have been saving each year because of the competition set off by deregulation.'' I am strongly opposed to the United-US merger and other mergers that likely will follow. I have asked the Department of Justice and Transportation to use all available authority to stop the mergers under the antitrust laws, and many Members have indicated they share those concerns.”