http://atwonline.com/aeropolitics-re...ger-jv-aa-0714

The European Commission yesterday approved the proposed merger between British Airways and Iberia without imposing conditions as well as BA/IB's planned joint venture with American Airlines on transatlantic flights. The EC said it examined the effects of the proposed merger on the markets of passenger and cargo transport, ground handling and MRO services, and concluded that the “transaction will not significantly impede effective competition on any of the markets concerned by the proposed merger.” … “This is good news for the three airlines, whose partnership joins the two other transatlantic joint ventures—Star and SkyTeam—which have been in operation for some years. More importantly, it is good news for passengers, who will benefit from a broader choice of flights and will continue to enjoy the benefits of competition,” said EC Vice President in Charge of Competition Policy Joaquin Almunia at a press conference, noting that the Commission cooperated closely with US authorities, in particular the US Dept. of Transportation…. (Air Transport World)

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...satlantic.html

Oneworld carriers British Airways, American Airlines, and Iberia are hoping soon to receive final clearance from US authorities for their transatlantic tie-up, in order to commence joint activity this autumn. The three carriers today secured clearance from the European Commission for their three-way transatlantic venture, and British Airways says the partners "anticipate that they will receive the final decision...from the US Department of Transportation shortly." British Airways chief Willie Walsh describes the European approval as an "important and vital step forward" and says the concessions to gain clearance amounted to a "pragmatic decision" to allow the venture to start "as soon as possible." … (Flightglobal)