As US-UK passenger talks begin, UK cargo carriers are pressurising the USA to include their demands on wetleasing rules in any new bilateral.
The British Cargo Alliance (BCAA) points out that US cargo carriers "have a large and profitable business" leasing freighters to airlines such as British Airways - which uses Atlas Boeing 747Fs for flights to Hong Kong - but UK cargo carriers cannot lease to US airlines for domestic or international routes.
The BCAA claims it has the backing of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair after a March meeting with Transportation secretary Rodney Slater. It also met US Senator John McCain in June. FedEx may also support the BCAA's cause. US and UK government officials will meet to discuss the issue before the opening of formal bilateral talks on in early July.
Source: Airline Business
