British Airways’ attempt to create what rival Sir Richard Branson slammed as “a monster monopoly” with American Airlines and Iberia is likely to wait a year for regulatory clearance.
The airlines have filed for anti-trust immunity with the US Department of Transportation and notified regulators in the European Union. However, previous applications have taken a year or more to process.
If the application succeeds it will allow the airlines to operate as a single carrier while remaining legally separate.
The trio will be able to coordinate schedules and fares on fights between Europe and the US, Mexico and Canada.