The last thing travelers want to hear about at the moment is the possibility of another mega merger in the airline industry. The rocky start of Continental's acquisition of United Airlines will continue to reverberate as problems persist. Now USAirways is serenading the three major unions of American Airlines who seem to be cozying up to the idea of linking with the Phoenix based carrier.
America West Airlines (remember them?) acquired USAirways in 2005. Many believe that the two cultures and systems of these carriers never meshed and issues pertaining to seniority, fleet types and culture continue after seven years.
USAirways-American would be a disaster. The cultures, fleets and workforces of both carriers could not be an more disparate. Competition will be further reduced and this merger will serve no purpose, other than an extended period of highly disruptive integration where these airlines have to probably surmount obstacles that may make the Continental/United merger look like a cakewalk.
The DOT should stop rubber stamping every proposed merger and should start looking into the curtailed competition and public interest.
www.premieretravel.com
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