Carriers receive approval for transatlantic alliance

Posted on: 15 July 2010

British Airways (BA), American Airlines and Iberia have received approval from the European Commission for a proposed transatlantic partnership.

The EU authority assessed the deal under merger regulations and concluded that it would not create a barrier to competition in the European Economic Area.

BA revealed that the airlines expect to receive the US department of transportation's final decision on the proposal shortly.

Travellers catching transatlantic flights could benefit from lower fares and more choice as a result of the deal, which is expected to increase competition in the aviation market.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "We await the DOT's final decision but welcome this important and vital step forward. The high number of new services on London to US routes since the Open Skies agreement demonstrates that Heathrow is open."

He added: "The transatlantic joint business will strengthen competition across the Atlantic by enabling the oneworld alliance to compete on a level playing field with the other global alliances that already have anti-trust immunity."

Click here to book your flights to the US

© Adfero Ltd