WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US airlines did not join forces to keep airfare prices high since average airfares have fallen by almost two-thirds over the past 20 years, International Air Transport Association (IATA) spokesman Perry Flint told Sputnik.
“Airlines compete vigorously for their customers,” Flint said. “For most itineraries, consumers have a choice of carriers, and, in real terms, average air fares have fallen 64 percent over the last two decades.”
On Wednesday, the US Department of Justice announced it was investigating a possible collusion by major American airlines to maintain higher airfares for customers.
Justice Department Spokesman Peter Carr told Sputnik the Justice Department was “investigating possible unlawful coordination by some airlines.”
Airlines for America Senior Vice President Jean Medina told Sputnik that US airlines did not restrict the number of available seats or maintain higher fares on airline consumers.
The International Air Transport Association is a trade association representing the airline industry around the world, according to the organization’s website.
