Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson Blasts Proposed Airline Partnership

By Terry Maxon, The Dallas Morning News

Apr. 30–One of the strongest opponents to British Airways-American Airlines alliance served notice Wednesday that he’ll oppose any renewed efforts to give that partnership immunity from antitrust laws.

Virgin Atlantic Airways president Sir Richard Branson said his company will “fight tooth and nail to ensure that regulators say no way BA/AA/Continental.”

He was responding to British Airways’ statement Wednesday that it was “exploring opportunities for co-operation” with American and Continental Airlines Inc.

Virgin Atlantic, which until a month ago had been one of only four carriers allowed to fly between London’s Heathrow Airport and the United States, indicated that British Airways and partners would still control too much of the market.

“When BA and AA first tried to get together nearly ten years ago, the regulators ruled it was against the consumer interest. Nothing has changed,” Mr. Branson said in a statement.

“A link-up between BA and AA is still anti-competitive and now they have the cheek of trying to add Continental to the mix, too,” he said. “This triple whammy would reduce effective competition across the Atlantic, and the regulators should make it absolutely clear that it would have no chance of getting off the starting grid.”

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