WorldTraveler
Corn Field
- Dec 5, 2003
- 21,709
- 10,662
- Banned
- #76
No merger is necessary. The TWU will sell itself out first.
Yes, you’re right. Foreign ownership is indeed a huge step. But unless the UK would like to pull out of the EU, foreign ownership is exactly what the EU wants from the US – on a reciprocal basis. And LHR is very much a part of the debate. You see, BA’s wishes regarding LHR were easy enough for the British to maintain for decades but now that the entire EU stands to benefit from an agreement that reigns in BA at LHR, the pressure is even greater. BA has acted like it can hold out as a near monopoly for decades but it is getting increasingly isolated on its own little island.
I’m not holding my breath for an EU-US Open Skies agreement but it will happen soon. And when it does and when other US airlines have meaningful access to LHR, BA and AA can do anything they want.
Yes, you’re right. Foreign ownership is indeed a huge step. But unless the UK would like to pull out of the EU, foreign ownership is exactly what the EU wants from the US – on a reciprocal basis. And LHR is very much a part of the debate. You see, BA’s wishes regarding LHR were easy enough for the British to maintain for decades but now that the entire EU stands to benefit from an agreement that reigns in BA at LHR, the pressure is even greater. BA has acted like it can hold out as a near monopoly for decades but it is getting increasingly isolated on its own little island.
I’m not holding my breath for an EU-US Open Skies agreement but it will happen soon. And when it does and when other US airlines have meaningful access to LHR, BA and AA can do anything they want.