Senate Skeptical of Airline Deals

Senators questioned the benefit of airline mergers at a hearing in Washington on Wednesday, and some suggested that the government should become more involved in the industry that was deregulated in 1978.

"When I say re-regulate, the whole world goes crazy," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W. Va., who heads the Senate Commerce Committee subcommittee on aviation issues. "However I am becoming increasingly convinced that some regulation may become an option to make sure small communities are not harmed by consolidation."

Rockefeller said a merger between Delta(DALRQ Quote) and US Airways(LCC Quote) would likely lead to additional deals. ...