Press Release: Antitrust: Commission market tests commitments proposed by BA, AA and Iberia concerning transatlantic co-operation

The European Commission on 10 March 2010 invited comments from interested parties on commitments proposed by British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia to address concerns that their planned alliance may harm consumers on transatlantic routes.

In September 2009, the Commission sent a Statement of Objections to the three airlines expressing concerns that their extensive cooperation, which involves revenue-sharing and joint management of schedules, pricing and capacity, may be in breach of EU antitrust rules.

The parties have notably offered to make landing and take off slots available at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and/or New York John F. Kennedy airports to facilitate entry of competitors on routes to New York, Boston, Dallas and Miami. If the market test confirms that the proposed commitments remedy the competition concerns, the Commission may adopt a decision under Article 9 of Regulation 1/2003, making the commitments legally binding on the parties.

BBC News, 10.3.10: Airlines BA, AA and Iberia offer to give up slots http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8559872.stm

ESO: Background information: Memo: Antitrust: Commission confirms assessment of proposed commitments from Oneworld airline alliance http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-antitrust-commission-confirms-assessment-of-proposed-commitments-from-oneworld-airline-alliance/

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