US agencies seek public input on competition in air travel

The Justice Department and Department of Transportation are seeking public input on US air travel as the agencies explore more ways to promote competition at a time when carriers are pushing consolidation as a necessary step for their survival. In a joint statement Thursday, the departments said they are seeking information on consolidation, anticompetitive conduct and other issues that impact air travel options. “Our goal with this inquiry is to identify and remove barriers to competition so that more Americans can access the opportunities that come with good, affordable air service,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The Biden administration has targeted several industries to combat what it calls “excessive concentration,” including commercial aviation, online search, smartphones, concert tickets and debit cards. The government argues too many deals between rivals can drive up consumer costs and diminish choice. Topics the departments are seeking input on include the general impact of consolidation on US consumers and economic growth, how airport access affects airlines’ ability to compete, and the effects that anticompetitive practices have on the labor market. Airline mergers have been a key focus in recent years. The Justice Department blocked JetBlue Airways Corp.’s acquisition of Spirit Airlines Inc. and unwound a regional partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines Group Inc. <br/>