CEOs: Merger Of American And US Airways Wouldn't Mean Higher Air Fares

The CEOs of American Airlines and US Airways answered questions at a U.S. Senate antitrust committee hearing Tuesday over the proposed merger of the two airlines.

Tom Horton and Doug Parker reassured senators air fares would not rise after the merger of the two airlines.

A majority of the judiciary subcommittee's questions centered on the number of takeoff and landing slots at Reagan National Airport in Washington.

Parker told the senators if the merged airline were forced to give up slots, it would be to its less lucrative markets, thus hurting small to mid-sized markets.

Two other witnesses -- Diana Moss, Director of the American Antitrust Institute and William McGee, a consultant for the Consumers Union -- urged the senators to take a close look at the proposed merger, saying previous mergers have resulted in higher airline fares.

Both Horton and Parker told lawmakers air fares wouldn't go up as a result of the merger.

In a news release ahead of appearing before the subcommittee, Doug Parker said the merger would create more connecting flights for travelers.

"By combining these networks, we will provide thousands of passengers better alternatives by creating over 1,300 new connecting opportunities and the potential to access numerous cities world-wide served by one carrier but not the other," Parker said.