National Consumers League statement on DOT action in Alaska-Hawaiian merger review
September 17, 2024
Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, today applauded the United States Department of Transportation’s (DOT) historic agreement with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to place enforceable public interest conditions on the merger. NCL has long called for DOT to exercise its authority more forcefully to police airline industry mergers.
The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, National Consumer League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud:
“After decades of unchecked mergers, four airlines together control over two-thirds of U.S. domestic air travel. Today’s action puts the airline industry on notice that under the Biden-Harris Administration, its days of scrutiny-free consolidation are over. Consumer protection agencies like the Federal Communications Commission have long used their merger review authority to place pro-consumer and pro-competition conditions on mergers. We welcome DOT taking steps to safeguard the frequent flyer miles that Alaska’s and Hawaiian’s rewards program members have built up. And we applaud DOT for ensuring that this merger does not endanger the critical air service that rural communities in Alaska and Hawaii depend on. We look forward to DOT continuing to use all the tools in its regulatory toolbox to protect and promote competition and fairness in the air travel marketplace.”
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
