Delta urges backing for transatlantic open skies
Delta Air Lines has called for approval of a fully deregulated transatlantic marketplace that it claims will benefit customers.
The call came on the eve of a key EU Council of Transport Ministers meeting in Brussels today (Thursday) to debate a tentative agreement reached earlier this month between the US government and EU negotiators
The US carrier’s CEO Jerry Grinstein, who has been lobbying for Delta to gain access to Heathrow, said: “Delta has supported a liberalised EU-US agreement from its inception because it ultimately benefits the millions of transatlantic customers who travel between Europe and the United States annually.
“We are encouraged that a landmark deal is close to conclusion that will welcome a new era of transatlantic travel allowing for a fully deregulated marketplace and opportunity for competition to grow and thrive.”
The airline argues that the absence of a fully liberalised bilateral agreement has limited competitive flights between the two continents, including restricting Delta from access to Heathrow, which prevents flights between Atlanta, the world’s largest airline hub and Heathrow, the world’s leading international airport.
“A key focus for Delta has been to obtain meaningful access to London’s Heathrow Airport,” said Grinstein.
“We welcome an agreement that will guarantee Delta and our SkyTeam partners the ability to participate more broadly in European markets, particularly London’s Heathrow airport.
“Delta trusts that the EU Transport Ministers will see the benefits of this agreement for both EU countries and the United States, and we look forward to ratification of this agreement and the expeditious beginning of what we anticipate will be productive second stage talks.”
Last year Delta carried more than five million passengers between Europe and the US.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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