An American Airlines spokesperson said yesterday's request to the U.S. Department of Transportation by the carrier and four oneworld members to "dismiss their application" for multilateral antitrust immunity was a "temporary" move that should be viewed as a "procedural technicality." But there may be more going on here.
The spokesperson said that AA, along with Iberia, Finnair, Malev and Royal Jordanian, are "quite committed" to obtaining ATI and improving oneworld's competitive positioning against SkyTeam and Star Alliance. Those five airlines, the spokesperson added, plan to file a more complete and updated application "fairly quickly." The initial application was submitted in July 2007; DOT last month asked the applicants to provide more information.
Knowing that AA has confirmed talks with other airlines about new or enhanced alliance ties, and knowing that oneworld anchor British Airways--not part of the initial oneworld application--last month confirmed it is "exploring opportunities for cooperation" with AA and SkyTeam member Continental Airlines, we dug deeper.
Would the five oneworld applicants consider adding more carriers to the ATI request? "As of this moment, it is these five carriers," the spokesperson said. "But you never say never, and you can always change the mix, but that is not the intent at this stage."
More specifically, will AA and BA again make a run at obtaining ATI, as executives in recent months have hinted? "We have confirmed that there are other discussions ongoing," the spokesperson acknowledged. "We are not able to say when or if, and it is conceivable that everything comes together at once."
We at The Beat are taking friendly wagers. Which airlines will be involved in the next oneworld request for antitrust immunity? If it is the exact same five that just pulled their application, and no others, I lose.