the plot thickens :
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- David S. Stempler, President of the
Air Travelers Association, announced today that the Association had submitted
its comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation on the proposed American
Airlines ("AA")/British Airways ("BA") alliance, which seeks full authority
for codesharing, marketing, and schedule coordination. Stempler stated, "With
airlines on both sides of the Atlantic cutting service, and the possibility of
airline bankruptcies and consolidations, now, more than ever, airline
passengers need the benefits that an AA/BA alliance will provide."
The following are the key points made by the Air Travelers Association in
its DOT filing.
1. An American Airlines/British Airways Alliance will provide price,
schedule, and frequent flyer competition for other international
airline alliances.
2. An American Airlines/British Airways Alliance will serve as a
catalyst for U.S./U.K. open skies, which will open London Heathrow
Airport to all U.S. and U.K. airlines.
3. Any required slot divestiture by an American Airlines/British Airways
Alliance at London's Heathrow Airport would be counterproductive by
reducing competition with other international airline alliances.
4. The necessity of an American Airlines/British Airways Alliance is
increased during this period of industry-wide financial crisis.
The Air Travelers Association is passenger-funded organization, based in
Washington, DC, which is both a representative and advocate for its airline
passenger members. The Association focuses on passenger safety, security,
savings, and service issues. It publishes the Airline Accident Report
Card(C), which provides report card grades for the world's airlines based on
their fatal accident histories, and provides membership in Travelers
Advantage(R), one of the largest, full-service, discount travel services in
the United States. David S. Stempler, President of the Air Travelers
Association, is an internationally known authority on airline, airline
passenger, and travel issues.
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SOURCE Air Travelers Association
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