Continental Sues United, Airport Council

Continental Airlines sued UAL Corp., parent of United Airlines, and the Washington Dulles International Airport’s council of airline managers, citing interference from new baggage-size restricters. The Houston-based carrier alleged that the plastic templates on X-ray conveyor belts installed April 15 are anti-competitive, forcing its customers to use carry-on baggage that adheres to a rival’s standard. The carrier accuses United and the Airline Management Council at Dulles of conspiring to limit competition by requiring all fliers to conform to Chicago-based United’s smaller limits. Kieran Sheridan, chairman of the council composed of airline managers at Dulles, countered that the templates were approved last year in a democratic vote that included Continental.