GAO STUDY ON COMPETITION AND CONSOLIDATION IN THE AIR CARRIER INDUSTRY.

SEC. 514. GAO STUDY ON COMPETITION AND CONSOLIDATION IN THE AIR CARRIER INDUSTRY. (a) Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study assessing competition and consolidation in the United States air carrier industry. Such study shall include an assessment of data related to— (1) the history of mergers in the United States air carrier industry, including whether any claimed efficiencies have been realized; (2) the effect of consolidation in the United States air carrier industry, if any, on consumers; (3) the effect of consolidation in the United States air carrier industry, if any, on air transportation service in small and rural markets; and (4) the current state of competition in the United States air carrier industry as of the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), and recommendations for such legislative and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.