The request for immunity from anti-trust legislation filed by Iberia and some of its partners in the oneworld airline alliance –American Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, and Royal Jordanian– has won the backing of numerous consumer groups, business associations, airports and federal authorities, state governors and city mayors throughout the United States, who have sent letters of support to the US Department of Transportation (DOT).
Madrid – The Department has received a total of 564 letters from private companies, 600 from business associations, 300 from non-profits and Chambers of Commerce, nearly 500 from elected politicians, and 129 from airports.
A decision is expected from the US government this autumn. If the immunity is granted, Iberia, American Airlines, and British Airways will implement a Joint Business Agreement covering routes between Europe and the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The three airlines also need a favourable decision from the European Union.
Exemption from anti-trust rules will enable the three airline alliances to compete on an equal footing on North Atlantic routes, since the other two, Star and Sky Team, have already been granted the immunity. This greater competition among the three airline groups will benefit consumers, who will have more flight options and easier connections within the oneworld network of 663 destinations in 134 countries.