NYCAviation:
Quote:
Feds Approve Controversial Slot Swap Between Delta and US Airways
The US Department of Transportation on Thursday announced a tentative approval of a deal proposed by Delta Air Lines and US Airways to exchange landing and takeoff rights at airports in New York and Washington, DC — a deal originally blocked by regulators citing anti-competition concerns.
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The article. and every other article published in the last few hours forgets to mention that the DOJ still has to approve the deal, and the word on the street is multiple competing carriers have filed objections with them. This deal or a modified version of it will likely happen but probably not as fast as today's articles imply. I would be very surprised if the final phase if approved is completed before the end of 2012, or in about 18 months at the earliest. My 2 cents !
I still do not see this happening in the current fashion. I echo LGA's statement. The other thing I am concerned about is the employee displacement aspect. There are about 400+ employees at the LGA station for USAirways. I cannot see them retaining the entire number which means furloughs for the mainline crew and outright layoffs for Piedmont people. I would hate to see many of them go. There is some good talent and very tenured talent in that station. A handful of them come from the days of Mohawk and Empire!!!