STATEMENT
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2007 – The Air Transport Association (ATA), the trade association for the leading U.S. airlines, today issued the following statement regarding the Department of Transportation (DOT) finding of a significant dispute at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) over the recent dramatic increases in terminal rental charges and fees.
“For the third time in a little more than a decade, the Department of Transportation has been forced to address efforts by LAX to abuse its monopoly power to impose excessive charges on airlines. We applaud DOT’s recognition that this case raises important legal and policy issues, and we are pleased that the department has authorized ATA to intervene on behalf of our members,” said ATA President and CEO James C. May. “It is disappointing that, once again, LAX has chosen conflict and litigation over cooperation and progress. Our members, and the other airlines at LAX, cannot compromise in the face of LAX’s attempt to abuse its monopoly position.”
ATA airline members transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.
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