European Commission pushing for removal of restrictions in EU-US open skies
European Commission vice president and commissioner responsible for transport, Siim Kallas, stated that an extension of the EU-US open skies agreement is "far from completed" (Dow Jones, 27-Sep-2010). The Commissioner confirmed there were positive signs in negotiations with the US, but has cautioned that US officials remain guarded in discussions. Mr Kallas recently met with US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, James Oberstar, among others. Phase two of the EU-US open skies agreement was signed in Jun-2010.
European Commission: "We will continue to push for … dismantling the investment restrictions that still make the aviation sector the global anomaly," Siim Kallas, European Transport Commissioner. Source: Wall Street Journal, 27-Sep-2010.