§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in aviation negotiations with the United States of America; and if he will make a statement. [27858]
§ Dr. MawhinneyI am pleased to announce that on 5 June, the UK and US Governments reached agreement on a package of new opportunities for UK and US airlines. This will mean that passengers will be able to benefit from greater frequency of transatlantic service and wider choice, and the prospect of more competitive fares.
The deal allows increased services for British Airways on its Heathrow-Philadelphia route, allows a second US airline to operate the Heathrow-Chicago route, confirms and extends the terms of the regional liberalisation offer which I made last October, substantially liberalises code-sharing arrangements and allows UK airlines the opportunity to carry some US Government traffic which has, up to now, not been open to UK airlines.
Both Governments agreed that the provisions of the agreement would come into effect once the US Government had approved all outstanding code share applications by British Airways in respect of US Air.
Both Governments have also agreed to begin work immediately on the next stage of negotiations with the aim of opening up further opportunities.