Airlines offer to give up slots | BBC News
British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia have offered to give up slots at airports in London and New York, say regulators at the European Commission.
The three Oneworld alliance members will be hoping this draws to a close the EC’s investigation into their co-operation on transatlantic routes.
The EC has asked interested parties for comments on the plans by 10 April.
Virgin Atlantic’s Richard Branson has described the proposals as “woefully inadequate”.
The take off and landing slots on offer are at London Heathrow or London Gatwick airports on routes to Boston, New York, Dallas and Miami.
This would enable other airlines to start operating transatlantic routes by lowering the barriers to entry.
But Virgin Atlantic argue that British Airways and American Airlines would still control 100% of the international routes in and out of Dallas, 80% of those in Boston, 70% of those in Miami and 68% of those in Chicago.