Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, ranking member of the House Aviation Subcommittee, released the following statement today following the announcement that American Airlines and US Airways plan to merge:

“The proposed merger of American Airlines and US Airways may hold significant implications for travelers. Shareholder value may be in the interests of the airlines as companies, but choice and quality are in the interests of the consumer. I expect that the Department of Justice in its review of the proposed merger will consider what this consolidation means for consumer choice, cost to consumers, and the impact on the airlines’ work forces.”