Are Major Airliners Colluding?

By Chris Lange Updated Apr 27, 4:32PM EDT · Published Jul 1, 3:16PM EDT

Follow 24/7 Wall St. on Google

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

CNBC reported that the Justice Department is currently investigating whether or not there is collusion among airlines. The goal of this alleged collusion is to grow the industry at a slower pace as part of an effort to keep airfares high.

This was confirmed on Wednesday when Emily Pierce, spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said that the department was investigating potential “unlawful coordination” among some airlines. She declined to comment any further or name any airliner specifically.

As a result of a series of mergers starting in 2008, American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL), Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) and United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) now control over 80% of the seats in U.S. skies.

An argument could be made this is one of the most competitive industries in the U.S. and that current price levels for similar routes are transparent. Similar to one gas station across the street from another, the prices are not going to vary that much when each can see what the other is selling for. Is that collusion or is that a natural result of competition?

Shares of United fell over 3% to $51.35 late on Wednesday. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $76.83 and a 52-week trading range of $36.65 to $74.52.

Shares of American fell nearly 5% to $37.98 in a 52-week trading range of $28.10 to $56.20. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $56.89.

Delta shares fell over 5% at $38.88 in a 52-week trading range of $30.12 to $51.06. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $59.57.

Southwest shares were down 4.4% at $31.62 on a 52-week trading range of $25.86 to $47.17. The stock has a consensus analyst price target of $47.61.

About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.