Blumenthal Issues Statement on American Airlines/U.S. Airways Merger Hearing

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Subcommittee hearing on the American Airlines/U.S. Airways merger and its impact to competition and consumers:

“I was pleased, in response to my question, that U.S. Airways CEO Douglas Parker committed to maintaining present levels of service at Bradley and Tweed-New Haven even after the proposed merger with American. I will continue to advocate for expanded service at Tweed, including a route to Washington, D.C. The economic growth in the New Haven area, particularly in the biotech field, certainly justifies such a route.  The economics of the proposed merger make sense on paper and in the air, but the Department of Justice must be vigilant in their review to ensure that the merger benefits consumers and passengers. This is the seventh merger in the airline industry since 2005, and I believe the Department of Justice has an obligation to assess the impact of this merger on a system-wide level to ensue consumers have enough competition to provide lower fares and better service.”