The Transportation Department is investigating possible price
gouging by four airlines in the wake of an Amtrak derailment in
May, Secretary Anthony Foxx said.
The airlines are Delta, American, United, Southwest and
JetBlue.
The agency is sending information requests to the airlines today
to begin determining "whether in fact the airlines drove up prices
in direct response to this incident and created a challenge for
consumers."
Mr. Foxx said the department has authority to investigate unfair
trade practices by airlines and put a stop to them. The inquiry is
focused on the time period immediately following the derailment in
the Philadelphia area. The investigation is looking into the impact
on prices in the Northeast corridor.
The investigation was requested by Sen. Chris Murphy (D.,
Conn.), Mr. Foxx said. In a letter, Mr. Murphy asked the government
to probe "price spikes" that followed the May derailment and
"ensure that they were not attempts by airlines to make money off
of desperate travelers who were impacted by the tragedy."
Mr. Foxx made the remarks at a Christian Science Monitor
breakfast.
Write to John D. McKinnon at john.mckinnon@wsj.com
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