Delta Aims to Bid for Airport Slots

A day after U.S. Airways Group Inc. (LCC) and AMR Corp. (AAMRQ) reached an antitrust settlement with the U.S. government to allow their merger, a competitor is requesting all airlines be considered for airport slots that have to be given up as part of the deal.

Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) on Wednesday urged the U.S. Department of Justice to consider all airlines in the process for divested airport slots and assets that U.S. Airways and AMR will be giving up as part of their merger agreement.

As part of the deal, the two merged companies are required to reduce their departures at several major airports, including Reagan National Airport near Washington and at La Guardia Airport in New York.

Delta said it would like an opportunity to bid for slots and facilities at Reagan, as well as Dallas Love Field.

Delta touted its flexible fleet, saying the company's smaller aircraft could provide service to small- and medium-sized communities.

It added that the Justice Department shouldn't exclude any airline from an opportunity to bid for the airport space that the merged U.S. Airways-AMR will be giving up.

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