Open Skies Agreement Comes Into Play
While it has taken years to conclude and there have been many false dawns, the Open Skies agreement will come into play on 30th March when a number of restrictions will be lifted, ensure more choice for passengers flying between the EU and the US. The agreement will lift many restrictions regarding where flights can takeoff and land although there is still much work to be done in the future to ensure a level playing field for all concerned. So what next?
Even though the Open Skies agreement is a huge step forward, bearing in mind that the US authorities have actually given up some of their demands, the fact that EU airlines cannot take direct control of a domestic US airline is still something which irritates many in the EU. There is also the subject of long standing restrictions to the internal US market with the authorities determined to protect US based carriers as much as possible.
While many of the actions which the US has taken in the past are illegal in the world of international trade, this is not an issue which has really bothered the US authorities on a number of issues. There are many who actually applaud that fact that they have the nerve to protect their own markets when many in the EU are pushing for equal access for all – something which could see the US carriers dictating the EU market in due course.
It will be interesting to see what difference this first stage of the Open Skies agreement actual makes, although for many it is a big step only because of the fact that the US authorities have given up some of their deal breaking conditions. In principle consumers who travel between the EU and the US should have greater choice, but quite how long this will take to filter through remains to be seen.