U.S. approves American-British airline alliance
23 July 2010American Airlines and British Airways won final approval on Tuesday to expand a trans-Atlantic alliance on flights between the United States and Europe.
The two carriers were cleared to jointly set prices, sell tickets and schedule international flights through their Oneworld alliance, exempt from antitrust rules, the United States Transportation Department said in a statement.
“‘The transaction will not substantially reduce or eliminate competition,’†Susan Kurland, assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs, wrote in an order. The deal “‘will not be adverse to the public interest.’â€
The Transportation Department had given tentative approval to the alliance on Feb. 13, and the European Union granted approval on July 13.
source: nytimes.com