DFW Chambers Of Commerce Show Support For AA/US Airways Merger
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - The presidents of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce are telling Attorney General Greg Abbott to back off when it comes to the American Airlines/US Airways merger.
Texas is one of several states to join the federal government in a lawsuit aimed at blocking the two carriers from merging into what would become the world's largest airline.
In a letter to Abbott, Dallas Regional Chamber President Ambassador James Oberwetter and Fort Worth Chamber President Bill Thorton express their desire for the merger to go through, writing that there is no plan B for American Airlines.
"Failing to allow American Airlines to merge with US Airways will result in further bankruptcy proceedings that will stretch for an extended period of time. In addition, service and employees will suffer, causing financial dislocations around DFW International Airport, one of the world's busiest and a critical hub of global business in Texas," the letter states.
Representing more than 4,000 businesses and 300,000 North Texas employees, the presidents say the merger would create competition within the airline industry and the state of Texas.
The letter goes on to reference the 2008 merger of Delta with Northwest Airlines and the 2010 merger of Continental with United Airlines -- and calls an attempt to block the merger "unfair, unrealistic and a double standard with is harmful to our economy."
Abbott said he challenged the merger because top company executives said in internal emails and other comments that they think the merger and shrinking competition "will allow the airlines to pile even more bag fees, ticket change fees and increased fares on customers."
Abbott also said that if American and US Airways merge, they would no longer compete on nearly 200 routes touching Texas. He said based on recent financial results, both are airlines are healthy and can compete without merging.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Latest News:
Top Trending:
