FEWER CHOICES. HIGHER FARES. Govt. sues over proposed deal between United and Delta

Posted on 11/11/2015

The Justice Department is suing to block a deal between United and Delta Air Lines at Newark Liberty International Airport. Federal officials say they're concerned that United's planned acquisition of 24 takeoff and landing slots at the airport would result in fewer choices and higher fares for passengers.

The lawsuit alleges that United already controls nearly 75 percent of the slots allocated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Bill Baer, head of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, said competition at the airport is in “critically short supply” and that allowing United to get more slots would only make the airline more dominant.

The suit was filed in federal court in Newark.