EU sees airport slot bids after Oneworld ruling

European regulators expect transatlantic airline competition to intensify after approving additional cooperation between British Airways (BA), American Airlines, and their partners in the Oneworld alliance, Dow Jones reported.

Rival airlines have until August 26 to start applying for takeoff and landing slots the Oneworld carriers would surrender to allow more services from London's congested Heathrow airport next March.

"Given the interest expressed by third parties throughout the Commission's investigation, it seems unlikely that no airline will pick up the slots," said the European Union's executive arm in a briefing document.

The European Commission approved the deepening of ties within the Oneworld alliance in return for members ceding access from London to some US airports.

BA and American, a unit of AMR Corporation, have to make suitable slots available at Heathrow for rivals to start two daily services to Boston, and one each to Miami and Dallas.

The Commission will decide who receives the slots under a lease agreement and whether they must pay for them.

The airline providing the most competition to existing carriers would likely secure the slots, said the Commission.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)