FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS UNITED AIRLINES TO REMOVE BAGGAGE SIZERS AT DULLES AIRPORT

Order follows Continental Airlines' victory in federal antitrust lawsuit against United Airlines

In a victory for air travelers, United Airlines and the Dulles Airport Management Council have been ordered to promptly remove all baggage-sizing templates from the security screening checkpoints throughout Dulles International Airport.

They have also been permanently enjoined from re-installing bag sizers at shared locations, and Continental Airlines and Continental Express were awarded more than $250,000 in damages resulting from the illegal agreement between United and the airport management council.

The final judgment and injunction issued by United States District Court Judge T.S. Ellis III follow his Jan. 6 ruling that United and the Dulles Airport Management Council illegally agreed to restrict competition by installing baggage-sizer templates at Dulles, which prevented Continental from competing for customers based on its consumer-friendly carry-on policies.

Continental said that United's violation of the Sherman Act, the federal antitrust statute, should raise special concerns at a time when the world's largest airline is trying to take over US Airways. The proposed merger will reduce competition and create an environment where antitrust abuses can be more harmful to consumers.

Installation of baggage sizers at Dulles was seen as an attempt by United to achieve a 'lowest common denominator' level of service for all airlines, while most travelers say they want airlines to compete on the basis of service.

The federal antitrust lawsuit was brought by Continental last year after United and certain members of the Dulles Airline Management Council voted to place the templates on all the security checkpoints at the airport.

"These sizers were designed to defeat competition from Continental based on our larger overhead bins and our more liberal carry-on policy," said a Continental spokesperson. "Our customers should not be penalized because other airlines offer poor service or unfriendly carry-on policies. We're pleased with the ruling because our customers now can avoid the hassle of trying to fit their bags through United's sizing devices."