The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has asked American Airlines and British Airways to give up transatlantic slots to ease competition concerns on key UK-US routes.
This follows a CMA investigation into the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement (AJBA), a partnership between British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, American Airlines and Finnair, that enables them to co-ordinate transatlantic services.
“Airline alliances can deliver broader economic benefits, such as enhanced connectivity and new services. But the CMA has concerns about the AJBA’s impact on key UK-US routes,” Juliette Enser, Executive Director of Competition Enforcement at the CMA, said in a statement.
“Accepting these commitments could address those concerns and protect passengers on the routes, including by making it easier for other airlines to compete, and bring our investigation to a close while allowing the AJBA to continue to operate.”
As part of these commitments, American Airlines and British Airways have agreed to release slot pairs on three major UK-US routes: London-Boston, London-Miami, and London-Chicago.
Carriers will able to apply for these slots, available at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
