(Bloomberg) – American Airlines Group Inc. sued the city of Chicago in a fight with rival Rival United Airlines Holding Inc. for valuable gate space at O'Hare International Airport.
The airport is both hubs for both airlines, making it the only dual hub airport in the United States. But the United States claims that Manchester United wants to elbow out, so it can be the “only hub” of the world's fourth explosive airport.
“United United's long-term plan does not give Americans a face to Americans,” U.S. lawyers wrote in a lawsuit filed in a federal court in Chicago on Friday.
In January, the United Nations asked the Chicago Department of Aviation to review O'Hare's use of the doors for the process set out in city policy. On April 1, the city issued a preliminary determination of its decision.
Americans objected to the decision, saying the review took place early under urban policy. The City plans to issue a final decision on June 1, while the redistribution will take effect on October 1.
United have said the changes will bring it six new doors and it will be used to continue its expansion at O'Hare. The Americans say the door does not come from the current Gates, but also said giving Manchester United an extra gate would damage Americans' competitive position in Chicago. Americans announced 17 new destinations in O'Hare this year.
Manchester United declined to comment. Representatives of the Chicago legal department did not respond to requests for comment during normal working hours.
(Updated by Manchester United declined to comment.)
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