WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a letter, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senator Angus King today urged the heads of American Airlines and US Airways to consider the potential impact that any reduction in service caused by the airlines’ proposed merger might have on small- and medium-sized airports in Maine and on the economies of local communities.

“Maintaining direct access between small- and medium-sized communities and our nation’s capital is important for facilitating commerce and tourism for residents, businesses, and visitors,” Senators Collins and King wrote. “As you conduct your review, we urge you to make the process transparent and to evaluate the consequences of slot divestiture on the economies of small- and medium-sized communities, like the Cities of Bangor and Portland, and the surrounding regions of Maine.”

Earlier today, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the airlines that would allow the proposed merger to proceed as long as the airlines divested certain takeoff and landing slots.

Senators Collins and King have repeatedly urged federal and private officials to closely and carefully review the impact that a merger would have on Maine airports, particularly Portland International Jetport and Bangor International Airport.

The complete text of the Senators’ letter is below:

Mr. Thomas W. Horton

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

AMR Corporation P.O. Box 619616 Dallas Fort Worth Airport, TX 75261-9616 

Mr. W. Douglas Parker

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

US Airways Group, Inc.

111 West Rio Salado Parkway

Tempe, AZ 85281 

Dear Mr. Horton and Mr. Parker,

We are writing to express our concern about the potential reduction in service to small- and medium-sized airports as a consequence of the proposed merger of American Airlines and US Airways.  As you work with the U.S. Department of Justice to determine which slots will be divested, we urge you to consider carefully the impact on regional airports throughout the country, including those in Maine. 

Officials from the City Council of Bangor, Maine, the Bangor International Airport, and the Portland International Jetport have informed us that a reduction of slots at Reagan National Airport could result in reduced flights to Bangor, Portland, and other small- to medium-sized communities throughout the country.  These airports are a particularly important transportation link for Maine and other states that rely on tourism to help fuel their economy.

Maintaining direct access between small- and medium-sized communities and our nation's capital is important for facilitating commerce and tourism for residents, businesses, and visitors.  As you conduct your review, we urge you to make the process transparent and to evaluate the consequences of slot divestiture on the economies of small- and medium-sized communities, like the Cities of Bangor and Portland, and the surrounding regions in Maine.

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