Alaska Air gets nod for Virgin America takeover

Washington

ALASKA Air Group Inc won US antitrust approval for its acquisition of Virgin America Inc, a takeover that extends years of consolidation in the industry and expands Alaska Air's access to the lucrative cross-country market.

Under an agreement with the Justice Department announced on Tuesday, Alaska Air must reduce the scope of a marketing accord that allows it to sell tickets for American Airlines flights on over 250 routes. The change will ensure the merged Alaska Air competes against American rather than partnering it, regulators said.

The restrictions will reduce by about 50 per cent the volume of Alaska Air passengers on American flights, according to the government.

"Today's settlement ensures that Alaska has the incentive to take the fight to American and use Virgin's assets to grow its network in ways that benefit competition and consumers," said Renata Hesse, the head of the department's antitr…