US approve BA / AA transatlantic joint venture
21.07.10
British Airways and American Airlines received final approval from American anti-trust authorities yesterday to expand their transatlantic alliance on flights between the US and Europe. The two airlines were cleared to set up a joint venture and set prices, sell tickets and schedule international flights through their Oneworld alliance, exempt from antitrust rules, the US Transportation Department said in a statement.
Susan Kurland, assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs, wrote in an order: ‘The transaction will not substantially reduce or eliminate competition,’ adding the joint venture ‘will not be adverse to the public interest.’
The alliance was granted similar approvals by the European Union on July 13. Iberia, Finnair and Royal Jordanian Airlines are also part of the agreement. American Airlines and British Airways also won approval for a separate joint venture with Iberia, according to the order.
As part of the deal, US regulators have told BA and American that they must give up eight takeoff and landing slots at Heathrow.
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