As reported by Lenta.ru, the essence of the agreement is that from now on European airlines can operate flights to the US from any point in the EU, not just from their own country. In turn, American carriers have gained the right to carry passengers to any European airport.
It is expected that the biggest changes will occur at London's Heathrow Airport. For the past 30 years, only four airlines could operate transatlantic routes from the US to the UK and back: the American airlines United Airlines and American Airlines, as well as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Now this list will expand by at least three more carriers: Delta Airlines, Air France, and Continental Airlines, AFP reports. Bloomberg adds that Northwest Airlines will also take advantage of the new rules.
The European Union and the United States will hold new talks on liberalizing the aviation market on May 15, Reuters reports. It is expected that they will discuss investments in European airlines by American investors and in American airlines by European investors.