British Airways To Address EU Concerns On Antitrust Immunity
October 02 2009 - 4:09AM
Dow Jones News
U.K. carrier British Airways PLC (BAY.LN) Friday said it will
address concerns that the E.U. has raised over their bid to gain
antitrust immunity.
Antitrust immunity would allow British Airways, AMR Corp.'s
(AMR) American Airlines and Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA
(IBLA.MC) to work more closely on pricing and bypass monopoly
laws.
British Airways said it has received the E.U.'s statement of
objections to its antitrust application and looks forward to the
"opportunity to address and overcome the E.U.s concerns."
It added, "The E.U.s 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 U.S. Department of Transportation."
The three carriers are also awaiting a decision by U.S.
regulators, which is expected by the end of October.
"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," BA said.
Company Web site: www.britishairlines.com
-By Kaveri Niththyananthan, Dow Jones Newswires; 4420 7842 9299; kaveri.niththyananthan@dowjones.com