European Commission issues statement of objection to oneworld anti-trust bid

European Commission issued a statement of objections to the application by British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia Airlines for anti-trust immunity, as part of their efforts to increase cooperation on trans-Atlantic services (Reuters/AP, 01-Oct-2009). All three carriers are members of the oneworld alliance. American Airlines stated the objections were "routine", but offered no further comment. A US Department of Transportation ruling on the anti-trust application is expected at the end of Oct-2009.