News: Branson slams BA/AA merger plans
Flights > News > # 2160 (14/05/2009)
Sir Richard Branson has once again urged regulators to block the planned merger of British Airways and American Airlines.
The Virgin boss said the merger would create a “monster monopoly” on key
routes between London Heathrow and the US.
BA and AA, together with their Oneworld alliance partners, would hold nearly half of all take-off and landing slots at London Heathrow. In comparison, Virgin Atlantic has just over 3 percent. BA/AA would also control most of the capacity on flights to destinations such as Boston, Miami, Chicago and New York JFK.
Sir Richard said: “If the proposed merger between BA and American Airlines is allowed to go ahead then the result for passengers, employees, communities and for fair and healthy competition, would be disastrous.
“It doesn’t make sense to encourage even less competition by allowing dominant carriers to increase their stranglehold by setting prices together and agreeing schedules.”
He added: “We need an industry we can be proud of. An industry that promotes competition, creates jobs and brings real benefits to consumers.”
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