British Midland cautions the Government over open skies

British Midland cautions the Government over open skies

BRITISH Midland is threatening to sue the Government following the collapse of open-skies talks earlier this month.

British Midland chairman Sir Michael Bishop has written to deputy prime minister John Prescott calling for an urgent meeting to address the collapse of the talks.

British Midland was due to announce plans this month to launch transatlantic flights from Heathrow next spring but the breakdown will harm the carrier’s plans (Travel Weekly September 18).

Sir Michael claims the Government demanded the carrier order long-haul aircraft to operate UK-US flights as part of the open-skies talks.

British Midland takes delivery of three Airbus A330s next year but can only use them from Manchester for new services to Washington and Chicago.

Sir Michael: threatening to sue over the collapse of talks