WASHINGTON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Groups representing major

airlines on Friday criticized the Biden administration's broad

public inquiry into the state of competition in air travel,

saying the review needs more time and could dramatically impact

the future of U.S. aviation.

Carrier groups including Airlines for America and the

International Air Transport Association urged the Justice

Department's Antitrust Division to extend the public comment

period for another 60 days beyond the Dec. 23 deadline.

The government "should not rush the collection of

information about the highly competitive air transportation

marketplace, pull resources from high-tempo operations during

the holiday season, or fail to collect the necessary

information," they said.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) said it would

consider the airlines request for an extension. It added: "The

American people deserve a healthy and competitive aviation

sector that allows for reliable service, fair prices, and a wide

availability of travel options for communities of all sizes."

The Justice Department did not immediately comment.

Airlines and the Biden administration have repeatedly

clashed in recent years.

The agencies want details on previous airline mergers,

exclusionary conduct, airport access, aircraft manufacturing,

airline ticket sales, pricing and rewards practices and the

experiences of aviation workers.

U.S. President Joe Biden has made boosting airline

competition a top priority and his administration has taken an

aggressive approach to blocking consolidation efforts in the

airline industry.

In September, USDOT opened a probe into the frequent flyer

loyalty programs of major airlines and pressed them to adopt new

customer service protections and is preparing to a release a

proposal on delay compensation.

The letter from the groups - representing American Airlines ( AAL ),

Delta Air Lines ( DAL ), United Airlines, Southwest

Airlines ( LUV ), FedEx ( FDX ) and others - said the extension

request is aimed at identifying "future actions regarding

competition matters in air transportation" adding, "the

submissions could dramatically impact the future air

transportation marketplace, including to the detriment of the

American public".

The Justice Department successfully sued to block JetBlue

Airways' ( JBLU ) planned $3.8 billion acquisition of

ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines ( SAVE ) and went to

court to force JetBlue ( JBLU ) to end its U.S. northeast partnership

with American.

The USDOT also insisted on significant concessions before it

allowed Alaska Airlines to complete its acquisition of

Hawaiian Airlines.

Airlines for America said last week the timing of the

inquiry 12 days before the November presidential election

"suggests political motivations".

For decades, antitrust regulators approved a series of

mergers that have resulted in four U.S. airlines - American,

Delta, United and Southwest ( LUV ) - controlling about 80% of the

domestic passenger market.