Airlines Applaud Historic Trans-Atlantic Liberalization Agreement; Note Expanded Opportunities for Competition, Consumer Benefits

WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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."

Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. On a daily basis, U.S. airlines operate nearly 26,000 flights in 80 countries, using more than 6,000 aircraft to carry an average of two million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional industry information, visit www.airlines.org.

SOURCE Air Transport Association of America