'Open Skies' Hit By BA And Virgin

According to the EU, a new deal would boost transatlantic passenger numbers by 26 million, create 80,000 jobs, and provide 12bn euros (£8.1bn) of economic benefits. Fair balance? The worry for many critics is that the deal favours US carriers, and that companies such as British Airways and Virgin would have to give up valuable prime-time landing and take-off slots at Heathrow airport. British Airways said it would be looking to lobby on the issue and would put forward its point of view that the deal "is not good for UK aviation". Steve Ridgway, the chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said: "We would love to see full and proper open skies but this draft agreement doesn't come near that." Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/6417277.stm Published: 2007/03/04 14:32:07 GMT

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