American-US Airways antitrust settlement gets final approval

A US federal judge has formally approved the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust settlement with American Airlines and US Airways. “We’re pleased that the court agreed that the department’s remedy will enhance systemwide competition in the airline industry,” the DOJ said in a statement. “By increasing the presence of low-cost carriers at key constrained airports across the country—through significant divestitures of slots at [DCA and LGA] and gates at five other important airports—consumers will have more choices to fly at more competitive airfares … With the settlement, the department is requiring an unprecedented number of divestitures in this industry