Speech: Beyond open skies

Text of speech by European Commission Vice President Loyola de Palacio at the 'Beyond Open Skies' Conference, Chicago, 6.12.99.

Commissioner de Palacio puts forward the concept of the establishment of a Transatlantic Common Aviation Area (TCAA) which would combine the United States' 'open skies' concept and the European concept of an open internal air transport market. Such a move would necessitate a common approach to regulatory issues such as code-sharing, slots and state aid, and policy convergence on vital issues and dispute settlement.

Mrs de Palacio proposes that a second 'Beyond Open Skies' conference be held in Europe before summer 2002 and also that a bilateral forum between the US and EU take place at least once every six months.