Concessions offered by the airlinesand accepted by EC include surrendering slots at London Heathrow or London Gatwick airports for flights to Boston, New York, Dallas and Miami; making available slots at New York JFK for services to London; and combining fares, offering connections and linking loyalty programs with other airlines. "We have analyzed these commitments, we have consulted other players in the market and we have concluded that the remedies the airlines have introduced will secure for passengers the
benefits of the alliancetogether with the prospect of additional services provided by other operators," according EC vice president responsible for competition policy Joaquín Almunia. The U.S. Department of Transportation
tentatively approvedthe proposed antitrust-immunized JV. Final approval is expected soon.