DOT Proposes to Deny Antitrust Immunity for Delta/Virgin Blue Alliance

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

Source – Department of Transportation:

DOT 166-10
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Contact: Bill Mosley
Tel. (202) 265-4982

DOT Proposes to Deny Antitrust Immunity for Delta/Virgin Blue Alliance

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today proposed to deny an application for antitrust immunity made by Delta Air Lines and affiliates of the Virgin Blue Group with respect to joint services between the United States and Australia. Antitrust immunity allows airlines to closely coordinate their international operations. In today’s show-cause order, the Department tentatively concluded that Delta and the Virgin Blue Group had not demonstrated that the alliance would produce sufficient public benefits to justify a grant of antitrust immunity.

The Virgin Blue Group includes V Australia, Virgin Blue, and Pacific Blue Airlines affiliates in both Australia and New Zealand.
In reaching its tentative decision, the Department noted that Delta and its partners have only recently entered the U.S.-Australia market, have not shown developed plans to operate as commercial partners, and have limited their cooperation to a handful of routes, thereby limiting the public benefits their alliance might produce. The Department also said that Delta and the Virgin Blue Group had failed to show that their alliance would have positive effects for consumers, such as lower fares or increased capacity.

Interested parties are invited to show cause why the proposed decision should not be made final. Objections are due in 14 calendar days, and answers to objections seven days afterward. Following the comment period, the Department will review all filings and then issue a final decision.

Today’s proposed decision, comments and other documents in the case are available on the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket DOT-OST-2009-0155.

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Commission Regulation (EU) No 791/2010 of 6 September 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 474/2006 establishing the Community list of air carriers which are subject to an operating ban within the Community

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

Commission Regulation (EU) No 791/2010 of 6 September 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 474/2006 establishing the Community list of air carriers which are subject to an operating ban within the Community was published in today’s edition of the Official Journal of the European Union (L 237/10).