American Airlines Opposes Kerkorian’s TWA Bid

American Airlines, fearful that it might get shut out of London’s Heathrow Airport, Tuesday urged the Department of Transportation to reject Beverly Hills financier Kirk Kerkorian’s efforts to buy Trans World Airlines.

American called Kerkorian’s interest in the ailing carrier a “feeble attempt to derail” its own proposal to buy TWA’s London routes.

In a separate filing, TWA repeated statements that it would be forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy court protection if the route sale to American was not approved “immediately’.’

Kerkorian and Tracinda representatives declined comment.