EU open skies agreement criticised by British air carriers

The Telegraph says that an EU-US agreement liberalising air traffic, which came into force Sunday, has been blasted for giving too much away to American carriers.

A second phase for the open skies agreement will be debated by American and European politicians in May, but both BA and Virgin have already criticised the US for not fully liberalising its market.

Under the treaty, EU-registered carriers will be able to fly to any destination in the US, and vice-versa, which should increase competition and lower prices, says the Guardian.

But BA has said that the treaty could undermine EU competitiveness because the US has not lifted restrictions on foreign ownership of its airlines.

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