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EU and US outline open skies deal EU and US outline open skies deal
(1 day later)
The European Union and the US have taken a significant step towards a deal that would open up their airline industries to increased competition.The European Union and the US have taken a significant step towards a deal that would open up their airline industries to increased competition.
Talks have been going on for a number of years but have always foundered on concerns it would prompt trans-Atlantic mergers and hurt security and jobs.Talks have been going on for a number of years but have always foundered on concerns it would prompt trans-Atlantic mergers and hurt security and jobs.
A last round of negotiations stalled in December, though talks have continued.A last round of negotiations stalled in December, though talks have continued.
EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot said that negotiators had made "decisive progress" in talks on Friday.EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot said that negotiators had made "decisive progress" in talks on Friday.
'Major breakthrough''Major breakthrough'
The EU and the US have reached a provisional deal that still needs to be approved by transport ministers, but it sets up the deregulation of a trans-Atlantic airline market that is worth some $18bn (£9.3bn).The EU and the US have reached a provisional deal that still needs to be approved by transport ministers, but it sets up the deregulation of a trans-Atlantic airline market that is worth some $18bn (£9.3bn).
According to Brussels, an "open skies" agreement would boost trans-Atlantic passenger numbers by 26 million, create 80,000 jobs, and provide 12bn euros (£8.1bn) of economic benefits.According to Brussels, an "open skies" agreement would boost trans-Atlantic passenger numbers by 26 million, create 80,000 jobs, and provide 12bn euros (£8.1bn) of economic benefits.
Our initial reaction is that there seems to be a substantially improved balance in the wording of the agreement The Association of European AirlinesOur initial reaction is that there seems to be a substantially improved balance in the wording of the agreement The Association of European Airlines
Should it be approved at a meeting of ministers on 22 March then the agreement would be in place from 28 October.Should it be approved at a meeting of ministers on 22 March then the agreement would be in place from 28 October.
"This can be considered a major breakthrough," said Michele Cercone, spokesman for Commissioner Barrot."This can be considered a major breakthrough," said Michele Cercone, spokesman for Commissioner Barrot.
Under the terms of the agreement, European airlines would be allowed to make trans-Atlantic flights from any nation and not just their home country.Under the terms of the agreement, European airlines would be allowed to make trans-Atlantic flights from any nation and not just their home country.
The deal would also open up Heathrow so that a greater number of airlines could land and take off from the London airport.The deal would also open up Heathrow so that a greater number of airlines could land and take off from the London airport.
Improved balanceImproved balance
At the core of the agreement were ownership rights, which had proved controversial in earlier rounds of talks.At the core of the agreement were ownership rights, which had proved controversial in earlier rounds of talks.
The US will still be able to prevent a foreign company from owning more than 25% of an American airline's voting rights.The US will still be able to prevent a foreign company from owning more than 25% of an American airline's voting rights.
However, the deal would make it easier for EU companies to buy all of an airline's non-voting shares. At the same time, the EU would be able to restrict US investment in EU airlines.However, the deal would make it easier for EU companies to buy all of an airline's non-voting shares. At the same time, the EU would be able to restrict US investment in EU airlines.
In order to speed consolidation in the industry, the "open skies" deal would be extended to include African or non-EU airlines controlled by EU firms, and would give anti-monopoly immunity to make mergers easier.In order to speed consolidation in the industry, the "open skies" deal would be extended to include African or non-EU airlines controlled by EU firms, and would give anti-monopoly immunity to make mergers easier.
The provisional deal got a positive response from the Association of European Airlines (AEA), the trade body that represents airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France KLM.
"Our initial reaction is that there seems to be a substantially improved balance in the wording of the agreement," the AEA said, adding that the US seemed to have give some ground on European demands.