Originally Posted by
DrSmacFum
& to make matters worse, the DOJ is aiming to argue that merging 2 tiny airlines eliminates competition to the big 4, since a merging of 2 airlines means 1 less airline. So if no one else can merge, "for the sake of the consumer", the Big 4 will continue to drown out everyone else
Its not that two small airlines are merging. I don't think DOJ cares if a 5% and 4% market share merger to become a 9% share airline. its that an ULCC is going to be GONE and on many routes, fares will rise substantially. JetBlue/Alaska would probably be allowed, but they have a problem with Spirit going away, which is why all the large airlines are FOR the merger, with the CEOs of United and American coming out publicly saying its not anti-competitive (because they don't have to deal with Spirit going forward.)