Open Skies: EU, U.S. Sign Historic Aviation Deal at EU-U.S. Summit

The European Union and the United States today signed the first aviation treaty between Europe and America. Building on the creation of the European internal aviation market—a success story for the EU—the agreement is the most ambitious air services deal ever negotiated, encompassing 60 percent of world air traffic. It is expected to bring billions of euros in economic benefits on both sides of the Atlantic, millions of additional passengers, and up to new 80,000 jobs over the next five years.

EU Commission Vice President and Transportation Commissioner Jacques Barrot said, "This agreement is both a centerpiece for today's reinvigorated transatlantic relationship and a big step forward in international aviation. By allowing new services to be launched from airports across Europe, it will shake up both the transatlantic market and the European airline industry itself, [which already] is feeling its effects in a positive way with plans for new services and signs of a much more flexible and dynamic approach to airline investment among European carriers… I welcome the firm commitment given today by leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to conclude a second-stage agreement as a matter of priority."

The ultimate objective of the European Union is to create an Open Aviation Area: a single air transport market between the EU and the U.S. in which investment can flow freely and in which European and U.S. airlines can provide air services without any restriction, including access to the domestic markets of both parties. The agreement signed today contains a strong mechanism for the phase-two agreement and second-stage negotiations will start no later than May 30, 2008.

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