American Airlines Says Justice Dept Antitrust Suit Is Without Merit

By Matt Grossman

American Airlines Group Inc. on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to a Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit that alleges its partnership with JetBlue Airways Corp. is anticompetitive.

"American believes the complaint is without merit and will defend itself vigorously," the airline said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

The lawsuit, which is joined by six states and the District of Columbia, alleges that a partnership between the airlines to market each other's flights on certain routes is a maneuver to consolidate the airlines' control over the industry.

American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker and JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes criticized the lawsuit, saying the partnership helps the airlines better serve customers by expanding low-fare offerings and making more long-haul international flights from New York viable for American.

Write to Matt Grossman at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

09-22-21 0805ET