United Airlines has abandoned its bid to increase its dominance at Newark Liberty Airport.
The carrier has dropped plans to take over 24 takeoff and landing slots owned by Delta at the airport, the Justice Department said in a statement.
Several months ago the Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deal, alleging it would be detrimental to competition and passenger choice.
United already has more than 70% of slots at Newark.
"United has used its slots monopoly to dominate air travel in and out of Newark," assistant attorney general Bill Baer said in a statement.
The Federal Aviation Administration recently announced it would allow airlines to apply for new services for the first time in eight years.
"The FAA’s action opens up Newark to more robust competition and achieves the very outcome we sought in litigation: protecting consumers from United’s plan to enlarge its monopoly at Newark," Baer added.
"We are disappointed that the FAA’s decision may undo United’s significant efforts to minimize congestion-related passenger delays at Newark, and we fear that the already-strained New York air space will be further exacerbated," United responded in a statement.
