Airline merger lawsuit will begin in Nov.

8/31/2013

WASHINGTON — A federal judge said Friday that the government’s lawsuit to block the proposed merger of American Airlines and US Airways will start Nov. 25, a timetable favored by the airlines.

The U.S. Justice Department had wanted the trial to start in March, saying it needed more time to prepare for the complex case. The airlines said that such a long delay would threaten their merger.

The Justice Department said a merger would reduce competition and lead to higher prices for travelers.