Mergers and Labor Market Outcomes in the US Airline Industry

This paper examines US airline mergers between 1993 and 2018 and studies their impact on the labor market. Our difference-in-differences estimates indicate a significant reduction in the merging airlines' long-term wage and fringe benefits following the mergers. The effect is particularly salient among large-scale mergers involving major airlines and low cost carriers. The results also suggest a negative short-term employment impact of mergers that varies by occupation types. Our findings are consistent with the impact of merger-induced monopsony power discussed in recent literature and offer important policy implications regarding how to account for employer monopsony power during mergers and acquisitions