WASHINGTON, D.C.
Following Wednesday’s news regarding the Department of Justice’s investigation of several U.S. airlines for potential collusion—a review that could profoundly impact domestic airfares—the U.S. Travel Association (U.S.T.A.) has responded with a statement from its President and CEO Roger Dow.
Dow issued the following statement reacting to reports that the U.S. government is investigating possible collusion among major airlines to limit available seats, which keeps airfares high:
"We fervently hope that the U.S. airlines targeted by the Justice Department's inquiry are cleared of these allegations. American consumers are already jaded enough about flying that we've been wondering for awhile how many more gut-punches they could absorb before we see a dip in air travel demand--and therefore a dip in the related econometrics for cities and businesses across the country.
"If not for the radical consolidation we have seen in the airline industry in the last few years, we probably would not even be having this conversation,” Dow continued. “Now that four carriers control 85 percent of domestic routes, 'collusion' is a thought that's constantly going to be in the back of the minds of federal regulators.
"Congress has a remedy at its fingertips: make adjustments to airport financing so that individual airports can raise funds to expand terminal space and allow new carriers into their markets. More competitors significantly lessens the possibility that collusion can occur, and the pressures upon prices and service would be tremendously favorable to travelers, and therefore the broader economy.
"We urge our partners in the airline business to cooperate fully with this investigation, and for Justice officials to bring it to the fastest possible conclusion so that the summer and fall travel seasons can go on unimpeded."
A number of media outlets (including The Associated Press and NBC News) have reported that the possible airline collusion involved curtailing seat availability to keep air travel prices steep.
