WASHINGTON, D.C. –
During a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing today
on the proposed merger between United Airlines and Continental Airlines,
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Committee, said
she was disappointed with the proposed merger decision.
“The proposed
measure is going to have dramatic impact on my home city of Houston and
certainly on the people who work at Continental,” said Senator Hutchison.
“It is a hard sell in Texas and I am disappointed in the decision to merge
because I have worked very hard to support alliances so that we could avoid a
merger. I have worked hard in my Senate term to promote the long-term viability
of the airlines, whether they are based in Texas, or elsewhere in the
country. While I appreciate the fact that Houston will remain the largest
hub of the new carrier, and there have been promises that it will have a bright
future, I remain concerned about the ramifications to employees at Continental
who make the Houston area their home.”
Senator Hutchison
said she expects the merger will likely be approved after receiving review by
the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation, but she remains
concerned about the impact on employees, pensions, and the overall integration
of the two varied cultures of the respective airlines.
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You can view Senator Hutchison’s opening statement here.
