BA-AA tie up documents "missing"

Virgin using delaying tactics - BA

British Airways has labelled Virgin Atlantic's latest call for more anti-trust immunity evidence a "delaying tactic."

Last month BA and American Airlines submitted evidence in response to a request by the US Department of Transportation (DoT).

But Virgin, staunchly opposed to a BA-AA transatlantic partnership, said many "highly relevant" documents were still missing and called on the DoT to act.

"Their submission appears to omit scores of key documents, including email attachments and missing pages,  that would appear to be highly relevant to this case and, at the very least, responsive to the Department of Transport's request for further evidence," said Virgin's communications director Paul Charles.

"The regulators need a complete set of documents in order to thoroughly review this anti-competitive application on behalf of consumers."

A spokesperson for BA said both airlines had "fully provided the information requested by the US Department of Transportation."

BA said the latest move from VA appeared to be a "delaying tactic."

"We firmly believe approval of our anti-trust immunity application and joint business agreement is the quickest way to bring benefits to customers, ensure robust competition and level the playing field for all alliances," the spokesperson said.

"We hope the DoT will quickly dispense with this motion and issue a scheduling order."

Virgin's president Sir Richard Branson last year said a BA-AA tie up would result in higher fares and massive job losses, voicing his concerns with the then presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

Mr Charles said: "Anti-trust immunity for BA and AA would give the carriers further dominance on routes to and from Heathrow."

BA, AA and Spanish carrier Iberia have been in talks for sometime over a possible application to the DoT for anti-trust immunity.

Any tie up between BA and AA would result in a market share "significantly over 60%" on routes between Heathrow and JFK, Chicago, Boston and Miami, Virgin said.

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