Airline Merger Moratorium Act

The Airline Merger Moratorium Act would have placed a two-year freeze on major airline mergers and acquisitions to prevent further consolidation in the aviation industry. Specifically, it would have prohibited any large airline from acquiring another if the resulting company controlled 10% or more of all U.S. passenger boardings. The bill also sought to block new joint ventures, such as shared frequent flyer programs or code-sharing agreements, between major carriers during this period.

For the average traveler, this legislation was designed to maintain competition by preventing a few large companies from dominating the market, which can lead to higher ticket prices and fewer flight options. It also required a formal study to determine how previous airline mergers had impacted service levels and costs, particularly for residents in rural communities. Although introduced in 2001, the bill did not move past the committee stage and never became law.