Pam Bondi Goes National in Opposing American Airlines-US Airways Merger

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is enjoying a bit of the national limelight this week as she has joined the federal government in opposing the proposed merger between American Airlines and U.S. Airways.

Bondi took to the pages of USA Today to argue against the proposed merger, insisting it will raise prices for consumers and undermines competition:

American Airlines entered bankruptcy court with plans to restructure and remain independent, and it designed a stand-alone business plan to that end. That plan included expanded service to many markets, including Florida.

U.S. Airways recognized that American Airlines would emerge from reorganization as a strong competitor that would have put downward pressure on industry pricing. Indeed, American is well on its way to recovery: Its most recent quarterly results reported a record $5.6 billion in revenue with $357 million in profits.

In fact, AMR, American Airlines' parent, reported just Monday that its July consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile had increased to a record for any month.

When US Airways and American chose consolidation over competition to the detriment of Floridians it became my duty to act.

The rest of her piece can be read here.