The US Airways Group Inc and American Airlines said they would fight the antitrust case filed against them by the US Department of Justice. The two airline companies were in negotiations for a merger when the US government stopped the USD 11 billion deal. The DOJ's contention was that the merger would stifle competition and increase fares. US Airways and American Airlines said they would argue otherwise. Their defense would anchor on the argument that their merger would promote competition in the airline industry.

Three high-powered attorneys were hired by the firms to represent them. American Airlines hired Jones Day Partner Joe Sims. US Airways, meanwhile, obtained the services of Richard Parker and Paul Denis. Parker is a Partner at O'Melveny & Myers while Denis is a Partner at Dechert law firm.

Joe Sims said the 56-page complaint needed more meat. "If they are going to convince the court that the sky is falling, which essentially is what they are trying to do here, they are going to have to have more meat than they've shown us so far," he said.