July 1, 2015

Justice Department Investigating Whether Airlines Work Together to Keep Prices High


The Justice Department is looking into whether airlines are cooperating to deliberately “work at a slower pace” in order to keep airline prices high, the Associated Press reports on Wednesday.

A department spokesperson confirmed the investigation but declined to list which airlines were subject to the probe. The potential “unlawful coordination” orchestrated by major airlines comes amid questions of why airline ticket prices have remained high despite plummeting oil prices and more fuel efficient aircrafts.

Following news of the probe on Wednesday, all U.S. airline stock prices took a dive.

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This is how change happens.

One story at a time.

This investigative reporting takes time too. Months of research. Weeks of writing, editing, and fact checking—and putting together the photography, art, video, and audio that tell the stories in a new way, illuminating new perspectives and voices.

We can afford to take our time because we don’t report to oligarchs or corporations. We report to you, and for you.

And the stakes are high. Democracy is on the defense. We’ve been exposing corruption and scandal for five decades, and this is a pivotal moment in our country’s history. Will democracy prevail? We won’t wait for time to tell—independent journalism is essential for democracy, and we’ll keep doing our part to amplify the free press.

So, we’re asking: Will you join the fight? Mother Jones has been here for 50 years, and we need your support to fuel the future of investigative journalism. Mark our 50th anniversary with a gift of any amount.

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