American Airlines Comments on the U.S. Department of Transportation's Tentative Approval of Trans-Atlantic Antitrust Immunity With oneworld Alliance Members

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines today announced it has received tentative approval from the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for its trans-Atlantic antitrust immunity (ATI) request submitted in conjunction with fellow oneworld® alliance members British Airways, Iberia Airlines, Finnair and Royal Jordanian, in addition to approval of a joint business agreement proposed by American, British Airways and Iberia.

American and its co-applicants, which submitted their application in August 2008, will review DOT's tentative order and will respond according to the time frame established for comments.

The provisional approval by DOT is an important step in the process that will allow oneworld alliance members American Airlines, British Airways, and Iberia to cooperate more effectively in competing with the Star and SkyTeam alliances, both of which already enjoy broad immunity from DOT. In addition, the oneworld alliance members are continuing discussions with the European Union Competition Directorate.

American, British Airways and Iberia plan to operate a joint business between North America and Europe. Their closer cooperation, made possible by antitrust immunity, will benefit customers with more travel choices and convenient schedules, expanded opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles, and greater availability of lower fares.

"We appreciate the thorough review that our request received from DOT and the U.S. Department of Justice," said Will Ris, American's Senior Vice President – Government Affairs. "We are pleased that DOT has agreed that it is in the best interest of the traveling public if American and other oneworld alliance carriers have an immunized relationship."

Ris added, "American also wants to publicly acknowledge the support that its proposal received from Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking member on the Senate Commerce Committee; Sen. Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.); the members of the Texas congressional delegation; and dozens of other U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives, local elected officials, airport officials, business and community leaders, and tourism industry experts.

"American and its oneworld partners are looking forward to competing for business over the Atlantic on a level playing field. Meanwhile, over the Pacific, we will continue to focus on ensuring that competition among alliances remains as robust as it is today," Ris said.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

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SOURCE American Airlines