US Airways has applied to the US government for rights to fly between Pittsburgh and Gatwick following British Airways’ decision to axe the route after 15 years.
Earlier this year, US Airways called on the US Department of Transportation to press the British Government for the right to operate the Pittsburgh route.
Under the existing transatlantic bilateral deal between the UK and US governments, any US or British carrier is not allowed to operate new routes serving the US-London market.
The agreement also prevents a US carrier from taking over the operating rights of a foreign airline between the twocountries.
In its application to the USDoT, US Airways said it had the strongest domestic route network at Pittsburgh and regarded London as a lucrative market.
Industry sources say the US government would have to negotiate additional bilateral rights to give US Airways access to the route.