Department of Transportation Rules in Favor of Airlines

AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, ATA Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and US Airways Group issued the following statement regarding today’s Department of Transportation (DOT) ruling in the airlines’ favor on unfair and excessive terminal charges by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX):

"Today’s DOT ruling represents a clear victory for the airlines. We are gratified that the DOT has recognized that LAWA’s actions resulted in unjust discrimination against the Terminal 1 and 3 carriers, and has ordered LAWA to refund the excessive rents it charged to those airlines.

The airlines will continue to study the detailed decision from the DOT and will be notified about the amount of the refunds due from LAWA in the next 30 days.

We’re optimistic LAWA’s new leadership will see this decision as an opportunity to embark on a more constructive partnership and negotiate a new agreement that is fair and equitable to both the airlines and LAX."

This ruling is the result of a joint complaint the airlines filed in February with the DOT in opposition to new terminal charges at LAX that dramatically increased the airlines’ costs.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: maria.koenig@alaskaair.com

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines