AIR TALKS WILL FOCUS ON CARGO, U.K. MINISTER SAYS
U.K. negotiators will focus on cargo issues at talks scheduled this week
between U.S. and U.K. aviation officials, U.K. Transport Minister Lord Macdonald told the
British Parliament last week.
U.K. government officials have been under increasing pressure to open up the
U.S. air cargo market for British carriers since Federal Express was granted so-called
‘fifth freedom’ rights to land and pick-up freight at Prestwick airport in Scotland.
However, U.S. officials want negotiators to focus on freeing up the U.K.
passenger market.
U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster, R-Penn., chairman of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, introduced legislation last week that threatens to revoke the
U.S. air rights of all British airlines if a new U.S.-U.K. aviation agreement cannot be
reached.