Published on Thursday, October 11, 2018

Competition watchdog to review BA's transatlantic partnership deal

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into British Airways' revenue-sharing partnership with other airlines on transatlantic routes.

The CMA stressed the case is at an early stage and no assumption should be made that the agreement infringes competition law.

The Atlantic Joint Business Agreement, which was first signed in 2008 and later amended, allows members BA, American Airlines, Iberia and Finnair to co-operate on pricing, capacity and schedules between Europe and North America.

The agreement was routinely investigated by the European Commission in 2009-2010 and the current agreement, set up under the European Union, will expire in 2020.

By then, the UK will no longer be part of the EU.

The CMA said the investigation is in line with the approach of the EU and would apply both UK and EU law.

In a statement, the CMA said: "This case is at an early stage and no assumption should be made that the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement infringes competition law."

The airlines have said they will respond to the review.