Open Skies Treaty Now Makes Transatlantic Travel From Europe Throughout the US Possible
Do you like to travel to Europe? If you do then you will want to read this.
There is a new treaty called Open Skies, that is between the United States and the European Union which allows airline carriers from any European nation to fly to any destination within the United States.
Now you might be thinking wasn't that always the case? The answer would be no.
Trans-Atlantic flights such as going from France to Los Angeles has been off limits.
According to Thomas K.
Gross of Nation & World, "The liberalization of air-route rules is fueling new competition.
Delta Air Lines, for example, will start service between Heathrow and New York's JFK airport, while Northwest Airlines will offer flights linking Heathrow to Detroit, Seattle, and Minneapolis.
British Airways is launching a subsidiary it's cheekily calling OpenSkies that will start flying in June from either Paris or Brussels to New York and eventually include other top European business destinations, such as Madrid, Frankfurt, and Zurich.
" Study results have shown that this treaty will bolster travel across the Atlantic by more than fifty percent over the next five years, accounting for about 81 million travelers annually.
Gross goes on to say, "Analysts expect the increased competition will result in some cheaper fares, at least in the short term.
That, coupled with the weak dollar, could also bring more European tourists to U.
S.
destinations.
Patrick Murphy, co-head of airline industry consultants Gerchick-Murphy, notes that Europeans are already making quick shopping excursions to New York City.
'Now,' he says, 'they'll probably be looking at shopping trips to other cities, too.
'" Although no word has been announced or study data revealed, inside sources say that this treaty will more than likely result in mergers of some airlines.
"Major carriers are eying premium-paying business fliers.
When OpenSkies begins flying, only 30 of the 82 seats on its reconfigured 757 aircraft will be economy priced.
American carriers face some disadvantages in the race to benefit from Open Skies.
Their fleets tend to be older, thus less fuel-efficient and more expensive to operate, and lack of cash could make it harder for them to scoop up scarce slots at Heathrow, which sell for top dollar.
Continental Airlines this month paid $209 million for four sets of takeoff and landing slots," says Gross.
The major advantage of this treaty clearly favors the U.
S.
as now they will be able to land and refuel for longer flights to Asia and the Middle East.
Gross believes that once Europe adjusts to the rules of the treaty, they too will find many significant advantages.
There is a new treaty called Open Skies, that is between the United States and the European Union which allows airline carriers from any European nation to fly to any destination within the United States.
Now you might be thinking wasn't that always the case? The answer would be no.
Trans-Atlantic flights such as going from France to Los Angeles has been off limits.
According to Thomas K.
Gross of Nation & World, "The liberalization of air-route rules is fueling new competition.
Delta Air Lines, for example, will start service between Heathrow and New York's JFK airport, while Northwest Airlines will offer flights linking Heathrow to Detroit, Seattle, and Minneapolis.
British Airways is launching a subsidiary it's cheekily calling OpenSkies that will start flying in June from either Paris or Brussels to New York and eventually include other top European business destinations, such as Madrid, Frankfurt, and Zurich.
" Study results have shown that this treaty will bolster travel across the Atlantic by more than fifty percent over the next five years, accounting for about 81 million travelers annually.
Gross goes on to say, "Analysts expect the increased competition will result in some cheaper fares, at least in the short term.
That, coupled with the weak dollar, could also bring more European tourists to U.
S.
destinations.
Patrick Murphy, co-head of airline industry consultants Gerchick-Murphy, notes that Europeans are already making quick shopping excursions to New York City.
'Now,' he says, 'they'll probably be looking at shopping trips to other cities, too.
'" Although no word has been announced or study data revealed, inside sources say that this treaty will more than likely result in mergers of some airlines.
"Major carriers are eying premium-paying business fliers.
When OpenSkies begins flying, only 30 of the 82 seats on its reconfigured 757 aircraft will be economy priced.
American carriers face some disadvantages in the race to benefit from Open Skies.
Their fleets tend to be older, thus less fuel-efficient and more expensive to operate, and lack of cash could make it harder for them to scoop up scarce slots at Heathrow, which sell for top dollar.
Continental Airlines this month paid $209 million for four sets of takeoff and landing slots," says Gross.
The major advantage of this treaty clearly favors the U.
S.
as now they will be able to land and refuel for longer flights to Asia and the Middle East.
Gross believes that once Europe adjusts to the rules of the treaty, they too will find many significant advantages.
Source...