BA to benefit from EU/US open skies deal - EU transport chief |
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Published
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Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:03
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BRUSSELS (AFX) - British Airways PLC stands to gain from plans to free up the trans-Atlantic air transport market but its privileged situation at Heathrow airport will have to change, the EU's transport chief said today.BA chairman Martin Broughton has attacked the deal, struck on Friday by EU and US negotiators, as being heavily tilted in favour of the United States.EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot told journalists that 'BA is at a crossroads'.'With 40 pct of trans-Atlantic flights departing from or arriving in the United Kingdom, BA and other British companies will benefit in the mid-term (from the deal) but that means there must be a certain opening of Heathrow,' he added.BA is currently one of four airlines that are allowed to fly trans-Atlantic flights from Heathrow to the United States along with Virgin Atlantic and US carriers United Airlines and American Airlines.But the deal struck on Friday, which EU transport ministers have to vote on later this month, would open the way for other EU and US airlines to use Heathrow for transatlantic flights if they can obtain landing slots.UK Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander criticised the deal at a conference in London, saying that it 'falls short of providing the kind of access to the US market that a number of EU carriers would like.'newsdesk@afxnews.comafp/slmCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited
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US, EU to reconvene later this month on 'open skies' after failing to reach deal 