Question

Between 1995 and 1997, American Airlines competed in the Dallas/Ft WorthAirport against several other low-cost carriers. In response to these low-cost carriers, American Airlines reduced its price and increased service on selectedroutes. As a result, one of the low-cost carriers stopped service, which led Ameri-can Airlines to increase its price. Why do you think a lawsuit was filed againstAmerican Airlines? Why do you think American Airlines prevailed at trial?

Answer 1

1. Why do you think a lawsuit was filed against American Airlines?

Because they engaged in predatory practices.

The United States is a free market economy that encourages competitive behavior which is why there are certain practices that are not tolerated such as predatory practices.

Predatory practices occur when a company reduces its cost to a price below that of its competitors till they are forced out of business because their costs would be larger than the revenue they make from the reduced prices. The former company would then increase its cost after the competitors are gone. This is usually done by large companies that can afford to take losses.

American Airlines did this and was the reason they were sued.

2. Why do you think American Airlines prevailed at trial?

Difficulty in proving marginal cost.

Generally, it is difficult to prove the marginal costs incurred by airline companies so American Airlines argued that their marginal costs had reduced when there were more competitors but increased when the other competitors left and that this was why they had to reduce prices when the competitors were there and increase when they were not.