BUSINESS BRIEF

U.S. district judge won’t block airline merger

12/7/2013

NEW YORK — A judge refused to block a merger between American Airlines and US Airways on Friday, saying a bankruptcy judge correctly rejected arguments made by a lawyer for some consumers.

San Francisco attorney Joseph Alioto argued that the deal would harm fliers because it would result in less competition and higher prices. But U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska repeatedly noted that his arguments relied on outdated facts, had no evidence to support them, and sometimes made no sense.

American of Fort Worth has said it plans to complete the merger with US Airways of Tempe, Ariz., on Monday.