Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane yesterday hinted that he would approve AMR Corp.'s bankruptcy exit plan despite the government's challenge to its main component: AMR's planned megamerger with US Airways Group Inc., Reuters reported yesterday At a hearing yesterday, Judge Lane held off on confirming the plan for American Airlines' bankrupt parent, but said that he found "arguments in favor of confirmation to be fairly persuasive." In a lawsuit filed on Aug. 13, the U.S. Department of Justice sought to block the merger on antitrust grounds, alleging it would create too much consolidation and lead to higher fares for consumers. At an initial hearing on Aug. 15, Judge Lane voiced hesitation to give his blessing to a plan that might change later, namely through a settlement with the DOJ that could include divestitures.
