Open skies 'will benefit flyers'

The proposed open skies agreement between the USA and Europe will have a positive impact on consumers, it has been claimed.

Designed to create more transatlantic air routes, the deal is expected to drive a boost in traffic between the two regions as restrictions are lifted on where airlines can and cannot fly to or from.

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live's Wake Up To Money programme, bmi chief executive Tim Bye stated that passengers will reap the rewards of having a greater choice of carriers and airports.

"The consumer will recognise whenever he gets more choice of services, whether it's airlines or anything else, then generally he gets better prices, more competition and therefore the consumer tends to win," he said.

According to reports, it is likely that the UK will back the EU over the open skies deal, after a number of MEPs declared their support for the agreement yesterday.

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