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The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded antitrust immunity
to Finnair and its oneworld alliance partner American Airlines which now
allows the two carriers to further plan and co-ordinate their networks,
marketing and services. The travelling public will benefit from the
co-operation in the form of increased and better connections between Finland
and the United States via New York and Europe, more efficient airport
services and new common pricing initiatives.
DOT states in its decision that the antirust immunity, which is in
accordance with the Open Skies agreement signed by the United States and
several other European countries, encourages more competitive service.
Antitrust immunity now makes it possible for the two companies to negotiate
with clients on the supply and terms of their combined services. The Open
Skies agreement between Finland and the United States has been in effect
since 1995.
During the summer season, Finnair flies daily from Helsinki to New York.
Through increased demand and general industry recovery, the strengthened
co-operation with American Airlines will allow the Finnish national carrier
to improve its connections everywhere in the United States. American
currently has no service into the Scandinavian region but the airline is in
the process of building a new terminal called the gateway to Northern Europe
at the New York Kennedy International Airport.
Oneworld clients will also benefit from the increased co-operation between
Finnair and AA. Both carriers are members of the most international airline
alliance, oneworld, which flies to 585 destinations in 135 countries.
American Airlines is the world's largest carrier with 4 400 flights per day.
Its network reaches 250 cities in 41 countries.
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