U.S. CONGRESSMEN URGE ACTION AGAINST U.K.

U.S. CONGRESSMEN URGE ACTION AGAINST U.K.

      U.S. congressmen, frustrated with the failed U.S-U.K. aviation talks, have called for a Feb. 15 meeting on the issue and have urged transportation officials to consider limiting the U.S. air rights of British carriers.

      This latest chapter in the ongoing U.S.-U.K. air talks marks an escalation in the dispute between the two nations about how to open up one of the most restrictive air markets in the world.

      Last week, Federal Express pulled its transatlantic freighter service to Scotland out of Prestwick airport in protest to the U.K. government’s stance on liberalization. FedEx says the U.K. government is protecting national interests.

      In calling a meeting on the issue, U.S. congressmen suggested that the U.S. could stop Concorde flights, close landing and take-off slots at New York and Chicago airports to British carriers, or halt service between the two nations altogether.