US opposes SkyTeam antitrust

THE US Justice Department has urged against giving antitrust immunity to five members of the SkyTeam airline alliance, according to international news reports. The Justice Department was quoted as saying the carriers had failed to show the benefits would outweigh potential harms. The SkyTeam request for antitrust immunity applies to overlapping routes rather than extension of routes. The SkyTeam alliance said immunity would help its member airlines provide more seamless travel arrangements and reduce costs. A rejection of the immunity request in the US would not change how SkyTeam operates, but would prevent further coordination among the carriers. (Dorine Berger)