UPDATE: BA Consortium Files Information To US Transport Dept
March 16 2009 - 10:44AM
Dow Jones News
British Airways PLC (BAY.LN) confirmed Monday the airline, along
with other members of the oneworld alliance, have filed further
information to the Department of Transportation regarding its
antitrust immunity application.
British Airways, AMR Corp.'s (AMR) American Airlines, Iberia
Lineas Aereas de Espana SA (IBLA.MC), Finnair OYJ (FIA1S.HE) and
Royal Jordanian filed their response March 13 after the DOT
requested further information in mid-December.
The antitrust immunity status would bypass monopoly laws in the
U.S., allowing BA, American and Iberia to work together on
scheduling and pricing. The planned tie-up would also be a
revenue-sharing deal.
The U.K. airline has said it hopes to secure approval by
September or October. It would target benefits from the planned
cooperation by 2010 if it wins approval.
"Granting ATI (antitrust immunity) would bring benefits to
customers and increase global competition," a spokesman for British
Airways said.
"After the DOT reviews our filing and deems the application
complete, it will issue a scheduling order inviting public
comment," he added.
When the DOT rules the application is "substantially complete,"
it has six months to make a ruling.
At 1500 GMT shares were up 5.9 pence, or 4.4% at 139 pence.
Company Web site: www.britishairways.com
www.aa.com
www.iberia.com
-By Kaveri Niththyananthan, Dow Jones Newswires; 4420 7842 9299;
kaveri.niththyananthan@dowjones.com