U.S. seeks to delay airline-merger trial until March

DALLAS — The U.S. government wants to wait until March for a trial on its lawsuit aimed at blocking the merger of American Airlines and US Airways.

The airlines want to start the trial in November.

The Justice Department said in a court filing Tuesday that given the stakes in the merger — it would create the world’s biggest airline — it needs more time to prepare.

The government accuses the airlines of rushing the case.

The judge plans to hold a conference on the schedule Friday, but it’s not certain that she will set a trial date then.

The government says the merger will reduce competition and drive up travel prices. The airlines say it would provide more competition by creating a third big airline to rival United and Delta.