Newark Airport Monopoly Allegations: United, Delta Want Lawsuit Dismissed

Newark, NJ - United Continental Holdings and Delta Air Lines have weighed in on a federal antitrust lawsuit the two companies are facing... they want it thrown out.

On Tuesday, the two airline companies requested the dismissal of a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit which is attempting to block United’s plan to lease 24 additional take off and landing slots at Newark Liberty International Airport from Delta, NorthJersey.com reported.

United Airlines already controls 73 percent of the slots at the Newark Airport, NorthJersey.com stated.

Under the terms of the reported deal, United would also agree to lease 30 slots to Delta at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to Reuters.

Federal antitrust officials have stated that the potential deal may skewer competition among airline carriers in Newark, while also boosting fares for passengers, Reuters reported.

“United said in a filing… that the Justice Department’s allegations of competitive harm are ‘based entirely on speculation about future events that have not occurred,’” the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.