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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| EU to vote on 'open skies' reform | EU to vote on 'open skies' reform |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| European Union (EU) transport ministers are due to vote on an "open skies" aviation deal with the US aimed at liberalising transatlantic air travel. | European Union (EU) transport ministers are due to vote on an "open skies" aviation deal with the US aimed at liberalising transatlantic air travel. |
| The deal eases restrictions on travel between Europe and the US, but the UK is said to be seeking concessions. | The deal eases restrictions on travel between Europe and the US, but the UK is said to be seeking concessions. |
| Britain wants limits lifted on European investment in US airlines, and is the only EU state yet to back the deal. | |
| Open skies reform would also challenge British Airways' dominance at Heathrow airport, Europe's busiest hub. | |
| Supporters say the deal would boost competition and lead to lower air fares. | |
| Ministers are expected to vote at around midday on Thursday in Brussels. | Ministers are expected to vote at around midday on Thursday in Brussels. |
| Reports say diplomats do expect the deal to go through despite lingering British concerns. | Reports say diplomats do expect the deal to go through despite lingering British concerns. |
| Tough choices | Tough choices |
| The lucrative transatlantic airline market - worth some $18bn (£9.3bn) is at the heart of the "open skies" deal. | The lucrative transatlantic airline market - worth some $18bn (£9.3bn) is at the heart of the "open skies" deal. |
| Under the plan any EU-based airline would be allowed to fly from any city within the EU to any city in the US, and vice versa. | Under the plan any EU-based airline would be allowed to fly from any city within the EU to any city in the US, and vice versa. |
| Q&A: Open skies deal | Q&A: Open skies deal |
| But while US airlines would gain free access to European airports, EU carriers would not be allowed the same rights on domestic routes within the US. | But while US airlines would gain free access to European airports, EU carriers would not be allowed the same rights on domestic routes within the US. |
| Paul Charles of Virgin Atlantic, said the deal did not go far enough. | Paul Charles of Virgin Atlantic, said the deal did not go far enough. |
| "It doesn't enable full liberalisation, it doesn't open up US markets so that European and British carriers can operate from one city to another - that's where the British government should be pushing things today." | "It doesn't enable full liberalisation, it doesn't open up US markets so that European and British carriers can operate from one city to another - that's where the British government should be pushing things today." |
| Negotiating the deal was a drawn-out, four-year process, and the breakthrough was only reached weeks ago. | Negotiating the deal was a drawn-out, four-year process, and the breakthrough was only reached weeks ago. |
| Among the effects of the deal would be an increase in the number of airlines using London's busy Heathrow airport. | Among the effects of the deal would be an increase in the number of airlines using London's busy Heathrow airport. |
| BA, Virgin, American Airlines and United Airlines currently dominate transatlantic services from Heathrow. | |
| Ownership issue | Ownership issue |
| Ownership rights, which had proved controversial in earlier rounds of talks, would also be fine-tuned. | Ownership rights, which had proved controversial in earlier rounds of talks, would also be fine-tuned. |
| However, the UK wants guarantees that Washington would follow up the initial deal with a later one that lifts limits on European airlines investing in US rivals. | However, the UK wants guarantees that Washington would follow up the initial deal with a later one that lifts limits on European airlines investing in US rivals. |
| The US wants to be able to limit a foreign company from owning more than 25% of an American airline's voting rights. | The US wants to be able to limit a foreign company from owning more than 25% of an American airline's voting rights. |
| The UK is also keen to put back the implementation of the deal to March 2008, with a clause that would end the deal should the US not lift investment limits by 2010. | The UK is also keen to put back the implementation of the deal to March 2008, with a clause that would end the deal should the US not lift investment limits by 2010. |
| Should it be approved as it stands, then the "open skies" agreement would take effect in October 2007. | Should it be approved as it stands, then the "open skies" agreement would take effect in October 2007. |