Delta to expand at London Heathrow

[sn26567]

BOSTON AND MIAMI are expected to join Atlanta and New York as Delta Air Lines' Heathrow destinations for summer 2011 operations, assuming the (straight forward) and necessary approvals are confirmed by the European Commission and the US Department of Transportation. Departures would be twice daily to Boston and daily Miami, both all year round.

The slots for the new flights are available following EU and US approval of an immunized transatlantic alliance between American Airlines and British Airways. Delta points out that the services would intensify competition on both routes to the benefit of the travelling public.

The airline plans to operate Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 36 seats in BusinessElite and 180 in Economy.

Source: AERBT and www.delta.com

[Jetairfly]

In Dutch only: http://www.zakenreisnieuws.nl/news/?id=36122

DL obviously bought some new slots. Did skyteam-member CSA Czech Airlines already sold its valuable slots or did another airline company "help" Delta Airlines?

Christophe

[sn26567]

DL obviously bought some new slots. Did skyteam-member CSA Czech Airlines already sold its valuable slots or did another airline company "help" Delta Airlines?

The answer is above: "The slots for the new flights are available following EU and US approval of an immunized transatlantic alliance between American Airlines and British Airways." AA and BA have been compelled tomade some slots available for their competitors in order to be granted immunity from anti-trust regulations for their transatlantic agreement.

[jumpjet]

Can Delta 'demand' the slots that AA/BA have to make available under the anti-trust agreement or do all the other US carriers have an opportunity to make a 'pitch' for the slots? Will it boil down to the highest bidder wins?