TWA has agreed to be purchased by American Airlines because of its poor financial situation. This threatens the low fares that currently exist on flights connecting through St. Louis, TWA's hub. One survey showed business airfares from St. Louis were 32 percent lower than the national average in November. The reason is partly that Southwest Airlines, a low-price competitor, serves 21 destinations from St. Louis. TWA also offers low fares through consolidators such as Lowestfare.com.

Although American says that it will increase service and maintain competitive fares out of St. Louis, industry expert Tom Parsons and others believe that it will raise fares and reduce service. The biggest increases are expected to be on routes that American and TWA dominate such as between St. Louis and Dallas and Chicago. American is also likely to withdraw from selling tickets through consolidators, and it may refuse to honor low-price contracts negotiated between TWA and companies that fly with the airline regularly.

(Updated February 1, 2001)