UNITED AIRLINES--US AIRWAYS MERGER -- HON. JAMES T. WALSH (Extensions of Remarks - June 23, 2000)

[Page: E1090]
---

HON. JAMES T. WALSH OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, June 22, 2000

Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my strong reservations about the proposed merger of United Airlines and US Airways. While I am a strong proponent of economic growth and development, this recently announced merger could only have a detrimental impact on Central New York air service and our economy. Congress was told by the airline industry in 1978 that deregulation would bring about greater competition, better service, and lower costs for the consumer. In many of our large, major urban centers this is exactly what happened; however, smaller urban areas haven't seen similar results. Many of these communities find themselves saddled with one dominant carrier and no competition resulting in extremely high airfares.

This combination of the two airlines would not only control about 27 percent of the U.S. market but over 50 percent of the travel market out of Syracuse, which already pays the fifteenth highest airfares in the nation. I cannot support a merger if increased travel costs, possible loss of service, and dismissal of longtime employees are part of the equation.
END