Matt Molnar
2007-03-22, 12:04 PM
Times of London:
Transatlantic fares set to tumble after 'Open Skies' air deal (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article1553555.ece)
But agreement will be scrapped if the US does not open its domestic routes within two years.
David Byers, Robert Lindsay and David Charter
European Union transport ministers today unanimously agreed an "open skies" deal which will let continental European airlines use British airports to fly to the United States for the first time.
The agreement in Brussels, which looks certain to drive down prices and increase choice for air travellers, was signed despite major reservations from the UK, which was worried that the transatlantic supremacy of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow would be threatened.
Under the new deal, both carriers - which are the only European airlines to operate the lucrative business route between Heathrow and JFK New York - will have to fight to keep their landing and take-off slots against wide open competition from other European carriers. More... (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article1553555.ece)
Transatlantic fares set to tumble after 'Open Skies' air deal (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article1553555.ece)
But agreement will be scrapped if the US does not open its domestic routes within two years.
David Byers, Robert Lindsay and David Charter
European Union transport ministers today unanimously agreed an "open skies" deal which will let continental European airlines use British airports to fly to the United States for the first time.
The agreement in Brussels, which looks certain to drive down prices and increase choice for air travellers, was signed despite major reservations from the UK, which was worried that the transatlantic supremacy of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow would be threatened.
Under the new deal, both carriers - which are the only European airlines to operate the lucrative business route between Heathrow and JFK New York - will have to fight to keep their landing and take-off slots against wide open competition from other European carriers. More... (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article1553555.ece)