Pruitt Asks DOJ To Allow American Merger To Proceed

October 3, 2013

For Immediate Release

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt Asks DOJ to Allow American Airlines Merger to Proceed

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt on Thursday sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the federal government to allow the merger of American Airlines and US Airways to proceed. The DOJ is currently challenging the merger based upon antitrust concerns. American Airlines, which currently employs more than 6,000 workers at its maintenance facility in Tulsa, is seeking to exit bankruptcy protection through a merger with US Airways.

“A review by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office found no violation of the state’s antitrust laws in the proposed merger between American Airlines and US Airways,” General Pruitt said. “The proposed merger will actually benefit consumers by providing more choices and options through the larger combined network that the new American Airlines would provide.”

“Additionally, not allowing the merger to proceed creates continuing uncertainty for the thousands of employees of American Airlines,” Pruitt said. “The merger offers the most viable path forward to secure the maintenance jobs in Tulsa and ensure the continued economic prosperity of Oklahoma.”

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