within the next two weeks.
A spokesman for the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions said: “Discussions so far have been broad, but the gaps (between the two sides) are many.
“However, we believe the talks have been productive and there is a general agreement to gradually give UK and US airlines greater access to each others’ markets.”
Previous talks this year and in 1998 have stalled because of disputes on what each side should give up to allow open skies.
The UK Government is demanding British carriers be given access to US domestic routes. It also calls for the end of the Fly America policy -Êa US law stating government personnel only fly on US airlines.
On the US side, government officials want Heathrow to be opened up to more of their carriers. Currently, only United Airlines and American Airlines have access to world’s biggest international airport.
The DETR spokesman said officials agreed to consider all bilateral issues further, with the next meeting pencilled in for mid-June.
He refused to say what the main sticking points are that have so far prevented a deal being struck.
Spin-offs from a successful outcome of talks would mean British Airways and American being able to codeshare as part of their Oneworld alliance; British Midland launching transatlantic flights; and Singapore Airlines extending its Heathrow-US flights.
The European Commission is unhappy the UK and US are continuing their talks as it wants a Europe-US open skies agreement.
INFORMAL discussions between UK and US aviation officials have led to both sides agreeing to abandon plans for a total open-skies policy.
Instead, they are planning to work towards phasing-in greater access to each other’s markets over the next three years.
Formal discussions between the two sides are due to resume within the next two weeks.
A spokesman for the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions said: “Discussions so far have been broad, but the gaps (between the two sides) are many.
“However, we believe the talks have been productive and there is a general agreement to gradually give UK and US airlines greater access to each others’ markets.”
Previous talks this year and in 1998 have stalled because of disputes on what each side should give up to allow open skies.
The UK Government is demanding British carriers be given access to US domestic routes. It also calls for the end of the Fly America policy -Êa US law stating government personnel only fly on US airlines.
On the US side, government officials want Heathrow to be opened up to more of their carriers. Currently, only United Airlines and American Airlines have access to world’s biggest international airport.
The DETR spokesman said officials agreed to consider all bilateral issues further, with the next meeting pencilled in for mid-June.
He refused to say what the main sticking points are that have so far prevented a deal being struck.
Spin-offs from a successful outcome of talks would mean British Airways and American being able to codeshare as part of their Oneworld alliance; British Midland launching transatlantic flights; and Singapore Airlines extending its Heathrow-US flights.
The European Commission is unhappy the UK and US are continuing their talks as it wants a Europe-US open skies agreement.