WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement today after United and Continental Airlines announced their plans to merge:

“The proposed merger of United and Continental Airlines would significantly transform our nation’s aviation industry. As with any merger of this magnitude, the Departments of Justice and Transportation must provide a comprehensive review and analysis to make sure it is in the best interest of the flying public and communities – big and small – throughout America. As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, I plan to hold a hearing on the impact this merger and future consolidation would have on the industry.”

 ###