British Airways To Approach EU on Antitrust Immunity Concerns

"We believe the quickest way to robust competition and more travel choices for consumers is to ensure that all three global airline alliances can compete on an equal footing", the UK carrier said. Photo by BGNES

UK carrier British Airways will address concerns that the EU has raised over their bid to gain antitrust immunity.

Antitrust immunity would allow British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA to work more closely on pricing and bypass monopoly laws.

British Airways said it has received the EU's statement of objections to its antitrust application and looks forward to the "opportunity to address and overcome the EUs concerns", the Wall Street Journal reported.

"The EUs thorough review of our plans and supporting evidence was anticipated and is similar to its continuing review of the Star and Skyteam alliances, which already have anti trust immunity from the US Department of Transportation", British Airways said.

The three carriers are also awaiting a decision by US regulators, which is expected by the end of October 2009.

"We believe the quickest way to robust competition and more travel choices for consumers is to ensure that all three global airline alliances can compete on an equal footing", the UK carrier said.

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