OPEN SKIES across the Atlantic seem as far away as ever following the
breakdown of talks in Brussels, the stumbling block as ever the
(partial) foreign ownership of US domestic carriers. In the United
States itself Continental Airlines president Jeff Smisek has been
vigorously campaigning against Virgin America claiming it is de facto
part of the Branson empire. However Continental are none too happy at
being excluded from Heathrow. It does seem that the airline wants it
both ways. With the US now reconsidering its policy the EU will not
receive a firm proposal until later this year the earliest an agreement
coming into force not likely until the summer 2007 traffic season.
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