EU-USA Open Skies agreement

[Scrooge]

VS scare AF and LH...mmmm not a good idea, given the size of those two airlines I doubt they will be afraid of VS running one flight a day out of their hubs.

Despite my inital "this wont get passed" stance, now looks like it will, which has shocked the British media.

BD are the only ones agreeing this at the moment. What is clear is that the treaty contains certain elements that the US have to introduce. So EU carriers on US domestic routes etc. Will be interesting to see, bearing VX in mind, how much of a fight CO et al put up when we get to five years down the line and the EU benefits of the treaty finally kick in.

Well it has been approved according to the BBC lunch time news. A deferral to 2008 for start but lots of comment on the tele about how BMI is in the strongest position, but also the likes of AF and LH, because they can now legitimately use their slots at Heathrow to fly to New York, say.

However, I think we might want to be a little thoughtful about whether this means radical change. For a start this would mean that for example AF and LH would have to purchase additional slots at let's say JFK, or cancel some of their existing flights from Paris or Frankfurt, and that might not happen too quickly. Similarly, is CO suddenly going to 'find' another load of slots at LHR, and then if they do open up more routes where are the planes going to materialise from. I suspect change will be slower than some predict.

I do agree with others however, the BMI could easily sell slots for loadsamoney - or lease some 330s and add new destinations ...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070322/bs_ ... skies_dc_6

This article contains this interesting paragraph...

"European member states would be able to withdraw benefits of the agreement from U.S. airlines if Washington did not agree by 2010 to allow foreign airlines to buy control of U.S. carriers"

Sadly A.net is full of narrow minded individuals, many of whom said VX was doomed.

The treaty- from a VS/BA pov isnt 100% what they wanted. But as Adam points out come 2010 it could be back to old ways....the US, as I understand must by 2010, be allowing foregin carriers to operate domestic routes in the US and allow foregin ownership. Time will tell...

[Decker]

Interesting comment

Originally posted by Decker
Interesting comment

That is a very interesting article.

Funnily enough I came to this thread to post the very same link.

Phil FM

Well it appears as through VS will start to fly from Mainland Europe. Could mean cheaper tax if you are prepared to get to mainland europe first. I guess if you live near Waterloo the Eurostar might be an option.

Interesting though

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
Well it appears as through VS will start to fly from Mainland Europe. Could mean cheaper tax if you are prepared to get to mainland europe first. I guess if you live near Waterloo the Eurostar might be an option.

Interesting though

Paul

Only until November this year when Eurostar moves to the infinitely more convenient St Pancras...

Paul

Originally posted by pjh

Originally posted by p17blo
Well it appears as through VS will start to fly from Mainland Europe. Could mean cheaper tax if you are prepared to get to mainland europe first. I guess if you live near Waterloo the Eurostar might be an option.

Interesting though

Paul

Only until November this year when Eurostar moves to the infinitely LESS convenient St Pancras...

Paul

[:p][:p]

VS should get a few decent leisure opportunites up at MAN very soon.

BMI will surely shift their A330's down to LHR and dump the likes of MAN-ORD, LAS, UVF and ANU ready for next March. Cannot see them getting metal from anywhere else quickly.

MAN-LAS and MAN-ANU might be strong possibilities in 12-18 months for VS on a once/twice weekly cycle, dependent if they can squeeze anymore work out of the LGW 744's.