Some routes not covered by antitrust immunity granted to Continental and other airlines

October 2nd, 2009 EU regulator: Atlantic airline alliance is illegalBRUSSELS — European Union regulators said Friday they have charged British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia with breaking antitrust rules by sharing lucrative trans-Atlantic routes. The European Commission said it sent a formal charge sheet to the three airlines last month, warning their cooperation violates rules that forbid companies striking deals that shut out rivals.

October 2nd, 2009 EU: trans-Atlantic airline alliance may be illegalBRUSSELS — European Union regulators said Friday they have warned British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia that their plans to share more of their lucrative trans-Atlantic routes may break antitrust rules. The European Commission said it sent a formal charge sheet to the three airlines last month, warning their cooperation may violate rules that forbid companies striking deals that shut out rivals.

October 2nd, 2009 EU: trans-Atlantic airline alliance is illegalBRUSSELS — European Union regulators said Friday they have charged British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia with breaking antitrust rules by sharing lucrative trans-Atlantic routes. The European Commission said it sent a formal charge sheet to the three airlines last month, warning their cooperation violates rules that forbid companies striking deals that shut out rivals.

August 17th, 2009 Continental to join Star Alliance on Oct. 27HOUSTON — Continental Airlines said Monday that it will officially join the Star Alliance that includes United Airlines and Lufthansa on Oct.

August 10th, 2009 Continental offers refunds to stranded fliersMINNEAPOLIS —Continental Airlines is apologizing to passengers who were stuck on the tarmac for six hours when a Houston-to-Minneapolis flight was diverted because of bad weather. Continental says the incident was "completely unacceptable." The airline is also offering refunds and vouchers.

July 17th, 2009 EU: Lufthansa makes new offer for AustrianBRUSSELS — Lufthansa has made a new offer to try and soothe antitrust concerns over its bid for Austrian Airlines, European Union regulators say. EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said last week that chances of Lufthansa winning regulatory approval for the deal by July 31 were fading fast because the company was not doing enough to eliminate competition concerns that the deal would reduce choice and hike fares on some routes.

July 17th, 2009 Continental CEO Kellner stepping downDALLAS — Chairman and CEO Lawrence W. Kellner will leave Continental Airlines Inc.

July 10th, 2009 EU warns Lufthansa on Austrian takeoverBRUSSELS — European Union regulators charged Friday that Lufthansa AG has not done enough to allay antitrust concerns over its bid for Austrian Airlines and they are now unlikely to approve it by the end of the month. Lufthansa has the right to pull out of the takeover if EU approval doesn't come through by July 31.

July 10th, 2009 DOT grants antitrust immunity to ContinentalDALLAS — The Transportation Department on Friday granted Continental Airlines Inc. immunity from antitrust laws, allowing it to work closely with a group of other carriers, including United Airlines, on international service.

July 7th, 2009 Airlines defend antitrust-immunity bidWASHINGTON — Continental, United and eight other airlines say the Justice Department's opposition to their bid for broad antitrust immunity was based on shortsighted analysis that ignored conditions in the airline industry. The airlines, part of an alliance that Continental plans to join this fall, want immunity to cooperate in setting prices and schedules on international service without violating U.S.

June 30th, 2009 DOJ opposes antitrust immunity for ContinentalDALLAS — The Justice Department opposes Continental Airlines Inc.'s broad request for antitrust immunity to work more closely with United Airlines and other carriers in setting prices and schedules for international service. The department says the airlines should get more limited immunity.

June 29th, 2009 Sector Snap: Most airline shares higherATLANTA — Despite a rise in oil prices, airline shares were mostly higher Monday as the broader stock market was up. The AMEX Airline Index rose three-quarters of 1 percent in afternoon trading.

June 17th, 2009 New snag for Continental antitrust-immunity bidDALLAS — Continental Airlines' bid to work closely with United Airlines and others on trans-Atlantic service has hit a new snag, with the Justice Department seeking to review the plan. The Transportation Department gave preliminary approval in April to Continental's request for antitrust immunity so it could coordinate prices and schedules with United.

June 11th, 2009 Continental CEO says business travelers hold keyDALLAS — Continental Airlines Inc. is pressing its corporate customers to step up their travel because business traffic holds the key to recovery in the slumping airline industry, Chief Executive Larry Kellner said Thursday.

June 8th, 2009 AA, BA confident of expanding alliance by 2010KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — American Airlines and British Airways voiced confidence Monday of winning approval from U.S. and European authorities to allow them to cooperate on trans-Atlantic flights by 2010.