On 17 September 2020, the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) issued interim measures directions under section 35(2) of the Competition Act 1998 to American Airlines Group Inc, British Airways plc, Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA and International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (the “Parties”).
The CMA has directed the Parties to make available at London (either Heathrow or Gatwick) Slots to allow eligible airlines to operate up to seven (7) round-trips per week on each of the London-Boston, London-Dallas/Fort Worth and London-Miami city pairs for up to four (4) consecutive IATA Seasons commencing with the Summer 2022 IATA Season.
Any airline wishing to apply for a Slot or Slots under the Directions, other than the airlines who entered into Slot Release Agreements (SRAs) pursuant to clause 1 of the Directions, on one or more of the London-Boston, London-Miami and London-Dallas/Fort Worth city pairs, shall inform the Trustee of the intention to apply for a Slot or Slots and request that the CMA considers its eligibility to do so by 6pm BST on Thursday 1 July 2021.
In the event that the CMA consider the applicants for Slots are eligible, the deadline for re-application by airlines who are a counterparty to any of the existing SRAs concluded under clause 1 of the Directions is 6pm BST on Thursday, 19 August 2021. Please see the link for further details on the process that must be followed by airlines wishing to apply for this slot pair.
Published: June 2021