EU backs BA / AA transatlantic joint venture
15.07.10
BA and American Airlines moved a step closer to completing their transatlantic alliance that will control almost 50 percent of flights at Heathrow Airport yesterday when the plan won European Union antitrust approval. It is still waiting for clearance from the US Transportation Department, although it has indicated that this is likely to be given.
The venture would give BA and AA an equal footing with other airline alliances that already coordinate on pricing, flights and marketing on flights across the Atlantic. The airlines agreed to give up 10 flight pairs of takeoff and landing slots in the UK and US as part of the deal.
Willie Walsh, British Airways chief executive officer, said in a statement: ‘We await the US DoT's final decision, but welcome this important and vital step.' US regulators granted tentative approval for the alliance in February. Transportation Department officials said then that the airlines had to give up four pairs of takeoff and landing slots to rivals at Heathrow.
To book heathrow airport hotel or heathrow airport car park at the lowest price, click on these links to two great heathrow airport car parking and heathrow airport hotel price comparison page
