Continental Airlines yesterday released the following statement in response to comments by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar discussing proposed legislation to study the effects of airline alliances and antitrust immunity (ATI):
Washington – Continental would be pleased to participate in Chairman Oberstar’s proposed study. However, any further delay in the review of the current ATI applications perpetuates the competitive imbalance that now exists, and we caution against prolonging the current anticompetitive environment. We are confident DOT will approve our applications to participate in Star Alliance. It is important for this review to be completed expeditiously so we can provide effective competition to airlines globally, including the world’s largest airline, which already operates in an antitrust immunized global alliance with Europe’s largest airline. We agree with Chairman Oberstar that all global alliances need to be treated equally. This is essential not only to Continental, but to our customers, communities and employees, which is why our ATI application is supported by dozens of members of Congress, mayors, governors and business groups around the country.