The European Commission has invited comments from interested airlines on commitments proposed by a transatlantic tie-up between British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia.
This was part of a probe by the European competition watchdog to address concerns that their planned alliance may harm consumers on transatlantic routes.
In September last year, the Commission had raised objections to the three airlines expressing concerns that their extensive cooperation, which involves revenue-sharing and joint management of schedules, pricing, and capacity, may be in breach of EU antitrust rules.
In a statement Wednesday, the Commission said the companies had jointly offered a set of commitments to alleviate its competition concerns.
The trio "offered to make landing and take-off slots available at London Heathrow, London Gatwick and/or New York John F. Kennedy airports to facilitate entry of competing airlines on routes to New York, Boston, Dallas and Miami."
On the London-New York city pair, the competitors also offered operating authorizations at New York JFK airport.
A trustee would be appointed to monitor implementation of the commitments.
The one-world alliance says their planned alliance would help overcome soaring fuel costs and falling demand, the benefits of which would be passed on to the passengers.
The Commission conducted the inquiry in concurrence with the U.S. Department of Transportation which is conducting a parallel review under U.S. rules.
The Commission said if the market test gave a positive reaction allaying the competition concerns, then it could adopt a decision "making the commitments legally binding" on the parties "without concluding whether or not there has been or still is an infringement of EU competition rules."
That, in effect, would mark the end of formal investigation processes EU competition watchdog opened in April last year against the cooperation of one-world alliance members on passenger transport on routes between Europe and North America.
The Commission has given "interested parties" a month's time to submit their comments.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.