Originally Posted by
Bucking Bar
While enjoying the morning cup of coffee, started digging into the DOT's AA/BA ruling. Seems that it really is a lot different than the US Air / DAL swap with LGA / DCA.
Some things that stick out:
- BA/AA only have to LEASE OUT 4 slot pairs for ten years. Then they get them back. If no one wants them, then they don't have to divest them at all.
- Two of these four slot pairs are tied to Boston service. Which I why I post this on Delta's "Latest and Greatest." Who else would be interested in BOS-LHR? Can Delta make BOS-LHR work twice a day? My guess is no, but maybe once a day could keep a 767 busy.
- Really, what is the point of Open Skies? With this, there are only two competitors in LHR.
I still don't get how the DOT that made this ruling is the same DOT that ruled against the US Air / Delta swap.
The DOT is run by Ray LaHood,
The White House by Rahm Emmanuel and Mr. Obama,
all from the State of Illinois where AMR employs a lot of people, it looks like they are protecting the airline from their backyard.
I doubt DAL will pay AMR for anything... unless it was JFK-LHR and that is not the case.