While their major transatlantic competitors have formed joint ventures and antitrust immunized alliances, and while their relatively comfortable position at London Heathrow has been subjected to new competition brought on by Open Skies, American Airlines and British Airways have continued their arm's length partnership.
Previous attempts to secure their own antitrust immunity were stymied by the price regulators demanded: hundreds of take-off and landing slots at Heathrow.
Earlier this year, sources familiar with the carriers' thinking said a new run at ATI wasn't likely any time soon. But more recently, AA executives hinted they may want to again take their chances.
Last month,
AMR Corp. treasurer and vice president of corporate development Beverly Goulet said, "The one silver lining with regard to the opening of [London Heathrow Airport to more airlines] is that it has removed a significant impediment should we and BA together decide to file for antitrust immunity."
AA CEO Gerard Arpey yesterday echoed those sentiments during a conference call with analysts. "Historically, there has been a lot of opposition" to AA-BA ATI, he said, given the perception that competitor airlines could never obtain London Heathrow slots, even after Open Skies took effect. "Our competitors have found a way to access the Heathrow market, so we think that letting that play out, letting regulators see that there is access, will help our case. Speaking from American's perspective, I think there will be an appropriate time to cross that bridge."
AA CFO Tom Horton followed those remarks by noting that U.S. and European carriers, since Open Skies, "found 16 slot pairs to operate U.S.-London service ... and that is equivalent to American's operation, so there is no shortage of slots if you’re willing to go out and trade for them. We think that blunts the argument that American and BA need to give slots."
