Editorial: Taking a new tack on merger deals?

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Thursday, March 1, 2001 | 9:12 a.m.

It is a promising sign that the U.S. Department of Transportation will take a more active role in weighing in on airline mergers. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta noted that in the past the DOT provided little more than facts and figures to the Department of Justice, which has the final say on merger approvals.

But now, Mineta said, the DOT will provide an analysis of airline mergers, including their impact on passengers and on airports. It is hoped this is a recognition by the Bush administration that merger mania should be looked at skeptically, since some of these megadeals have ended up harming consumers and competition.