Air Transport Association: Airlines applaud historic Trans-Atlantic liberalization agreement

"ATA applauds the work and visionary leadership of the U.S. and EU negotiating teams in delivering today's important agreement," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "This agreement will produce significant new consumer benefits in the trans-Atlantic market, as the commercial and operational freedoms it provides drive both increased competition and more service improvements.

"This agreement is a win-win on both sides of the Atlantic," May said. "It reinforces the strong bond between the United States and the European Union, and promises still closer cooperation on environmental, security and other important concerns while fostering greater competition. This is a historic milestone for aviation liberalization - and those responsible for this achievement deserve everyone's thanks and appreciation."

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today issued the following statement in response to the news that the United States and the European Union have signed a Memorandum of Consultation advancing further liberalization in the trans-Atlantic aviation market:

"ATA applauds the work and visionary leadership of the U.S. and EU negotiating teams in delivering today's important agreement," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "This agreement will produce significant new consumer benefits in the trans-Atlantic market, as the commercial and operational freedoms it provides drive both increased competition and more service improvements.

"This agreement is a win-win on both sides of the Atlantic," May said. "It reinforces the strong bond between the United States and the European Union, and promises still closer cooperation on environmental, security and other important concerns while fostering greater competition. This is a historic milestone for aviation liberalization - and those responsible for this achievement deserve everyone's thanks and appreciation."