Open skies deal welcome but needs to go further - Ludford

3.59.00pm GMT Thu 22nd Mar 2007

London MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has welcomed a deal struck today between the EU and US over liberalising air travel.

Commenting, she said:

"This deal is certainly welcome in that it will provide greater competition amongst airlines and therefore will be of benefit to British passengers. However, there needs to be a second phase to this deal because as it stands this deal is still not equitable for European airlines in that they are still not able to fly US domestic routes. Complete liberalisation must be the goal within the near future if consumers are to reap the rewards."