European mainline carriers are urging regulators in Europe to continue to press for an Open Aviation Area in talks with US officials.
US officials proposed an initial agreement during a third round of talks with European Commission (EC) representatives in Washington this month. The proposals cover foreign ownership of US airlines, extending US open skies rules to every European Union country and ending national carrier limitations for European airlines. It also envisages following this with a second phase of negotiations.
The Association of European Airlines (AEA) says it shares the concerns already outlined by the EC that the US proposals fall short of meeting its objective for an Open Aviation Area agreement.
AEA secretary general Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus says the talks need not only to resolve outstanding legal issues, but also offer European carriers the same commercial advantages US carriers have in the European Single Aviation market.
"Reciprocity, and fair and open market access between and within the two areas should be ensured," he says. "This goal has clearly not been achieved yet and the commission should continue to strive towards a comprehensive agreement which would include from the outset market access opportunities for EU carriers as well."
Source: Flight Daily News
