Oberstar urges Justice Department to subject Southwest/AirTran to 'rigourous scrutiny'

US Representative Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, reportedly asked the Justice Department to "subject the proposal by Southwest Airlines to acquire AirTran Airways to the most rigorous scrutiny" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 08-Oct-2010). Mr Oberstar went on to state he believes that with the Southwest-AirTran deal "the US airline industry will be continuing down the path of consolidation, which, I strongly believe, will lead to less service, higher prices, and fewer choices for consumers".