Court asked to block airline merger

HOUSTON, June 30 (UPI) -- A lawsuit to block the merger of Continental and United Airlines has been filed in federal court in California, an attorney for the plaintiffs says.

Forty-nine passengers allege in their suit permitting the two U.S. airlines to merge would reduce competition and result in higher fares, the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.

The merger, scheduled for later this year, would create the world's largest airline.

"It's going to turn into a monopoly," says plaintiffs' attorney Joseph Alioto.

Alioto said many of the plaintiffs in the suit own small businesses and fear the merger will increase their travel expenses.

A spokeswoman for Continental said the airline believes the suit as no merit.