The United States and European Union today resumed discussions to forge an Open Skies agreement that would liberalize the transatlantic air travel market.
The U.S. Department of Transportation in December withdrew a proposal to change rules that would allow foreign owners greater involvement in U.S. airline operations, a move that froze Open Skies talks with the European Union
(BTNonline, Dec. 5, 2006). "The withdrawal was deeply regretted by the Commission and by the E.U. Transport Council," the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States said in a statement today.
The United States and European Union through discussions this week are seeking to loosen restrictions and "expand benefits for consumers, airlines, airports and communities of both sides of the Atlantic," the E.C. delegation noted.