EU-US Open Skies 'Stage 2' agreement negotiated

European Commission and US Department of State announced (22-Apr-2010) they had fulfilled their target to negotiate a "Stage 2" agreement for the EU-US Open Skies trans-Atlantic agreement. A new article is also designed to ensure that the agreement does not undermine "labour-related rights and principles". The Joint Committee, where both ECA and ALPA have a seat, is empowered to "develop appropriate responses to concerns found to be legitimate". The US, which amended legislation to permit "majority ownership and effective control" of its airlines by EU nationals, will be granted the remaining cargo 7th freedoms, five new passenger 7th freedoms and a waiver by the EU on US citizens owning and controlling third-country airlines. The EU will be granted 5 new passenger 7th freedoms and a wider waiver by the US on EU citizens owning and controlling third country airlines. The following changes are to apply shortly:

• Agreements to streamline the process for new entrants to the market and reciprocal recognition of determinations of airline fitness and citizenship;
• Clearer commitments to international cooperation on noise and other environmental issues and;
• A small expansion of EU opportunities with respect to US Government procured transport. [more]