| The agreement | | | | bad that can come of it from a consumer point of |
| Last year, ministers across the EU gave their backing | | | | view. It should really open up the market and provide |
| for an agreement that would allow any carrier based | | | | better choice and cheaper fares." |
| in the region to operate flights to the USA, while any | | | | The Telegraph recently drew up a table comparing the |
| carrier registered in America would also be able to run | | | | different fares that are likely to be offer between |
| services to destinations across the EU. | | | | Heathrow Airport and Los Angeles after March 30th |
| One exception to the deal, however, is that EU airlines | | | | this year. Out of the six airlines the newspaper |
| will not be given carte blanche to run their own | | | | selected, British Airways was found to offer the |
| domestic routes within the USA. | | | | cheapest fare at ?300, while the other prices did not |
| The pact will now come into force in March and has | | | | surpass the ?399 mark. |
| been praised by many for effectively liberalising the | | | | A plethora of destinations |
| transatlantic aviation market and giving airlines more | | | | So where exactly will passengers be able to fly to |
| freedom to operate different flights between the two | | | | once the agreement comes into effect at the end of |
| regions. | | | | March? It is likely that there will be a leap in the number |
| According to the Civil Aviation Authority, when the | | | | of flights being operated to New York, but there will |
| agreement starts, more than 60 per cent of | | | | also be extra options for those looking to fly to the |
| passengers flying on long-haul routes from the UK will | | | | likes of Los Angeles, Houston, Washington and more. |
| be under the jurisdiction of a "liberalised" agreement | | | | Of course, the same is true if you happen to be flying |
| that does not attempt to constrict the number of | | | | the other way. Round-the-world-trips are still popular |
| international flights carriers can provide. | | | | among holidaymakers, so the ability to choose from |
| More than 90 per cent of the UK's international air | | | | more options when deciding on which airline to fly with |
| travel - including that in the European Common | | | | when making the jump from Europe to the USA or |
| Aviation Area - will take place within the open skies | | | | vice versa is likely to be a strong benefit. |
| agreement or other open aviation area-type pacts, it | | | | Heathrow troubles? |
| says. | | | | With Heathrow Airport currently running at full capacity, |
| A choice selection of cheap flights? | | | | concerns have been raised that the open skies |
| The most obvious advantage of the agreement for | | | | agreement could pile more pressure on the hub as |
| UK flyers is that there will be significantly more options | | | | more new routes are launched - raising the spectre of |
| to choose from when booking a flight across the | | | | further delays and baggage issues. However, the |
| Atlantic from Europe - and with more choice comes | | | | AUC's Mr Fremantle says that Heathrow should be |
| the possibility of cheaper fares. | | | | able to increase capacity in tandem with the increase |
| "Liberalising the air transport market is good for | | | | in new flights. |
| consumers in bringing prices down and offering more | | | | "We have supported extra capacity at Heathrow in |
| choice," comments James Fremantle, industry affairs | | | | general," he states. "Heathrow's full; [it is] running to |
| manager at the Air Transport Users Council (AUC). | | | | capacity ... so nothing more can be done at the |
| "There are cheaper air fares because there is more | | | | moment, but we've supported it all the way. |
| competition. It means that you have more choice of | | | | "These two things go together actually; more capacity |
| subject and airlines that are doing the routes, which | | | | at Heathrow and open skies. This should create a |
| ultimately means cheaper fares." | | | | situation where passengers have more flights and |
| A number of carriers have announced plans to launch | | | | more choices." |
| new routes with effect from the end of March to take | | | | More open skies? |
| advantage of the deal. | | | | If the EU-USA open skies pact proves to be |
| Air France, Delta, Continental Airlines, Northwest | | | | successful and beneficial for all concerned, we could |
| Airlines and US Airways have all announced their | | | | see similar agreements enacted with other regions, |
| intention to launch various new flights from London to | | | | bringing even more flight choice for passengers. |
| destinations in the USA, while British Airways is poised | | | | Last November, the Department for Transport |
| to go one step further and launch an airline - with the | | | | announced that the UK government had signed an |
| original name of OpenSkies - that will focus on offering | | | | agreement with that of Singapore that removed all of |
| flights that it could not provide before the agreement | | | | the remaining restrictions on flights between the two |
| was formed. | | | | destinations, opening up the aviation market in each |
| "British Airways have already started with their | | | | country to both nations' airlines. |
| business class-only flight from Paris to New York | | | | Commenting on the deal, transport secretary Ruth |
| direct, so that's another choice for passengers | | | | Kelly said: "As the most liberal agreement of its kind to |
| [compared with] what was available previously," Mr | | | | date, I hope it will set the standard for other |
| Fremantle explains. | | | | comparable agreements in the future. |
| "So it is starting already and I can't think of anything | | | | |