ets approved. Another of the obstacle is that the competition commissioner for the EU said that BA had to give 353 airport slots and these slots had to be given for free to the other carriers. The chairman for Virgin Atlantic, Mr. Richard Branson, is opposed to this alliance, because he sees it as anticompetitive and monopolistic in nature. He also mentions that the United States negotiate deals that are mainly beneficial to US carriers. The US domestic market is 40 percent of the worlds flying. We can continue to grow and compete elsewhere, but there is a large chunk closed to us. No doubt its important. Edmond Rose; Manger Government Affairs for Virgin Atlantic Airways. (Global air deals grounded, 06/09/2000). The air transportation industry in the United States accounts for approximately $75 billion of the gross domestic product.The third alliance discussed is the one composed of United Airlines, Air Canada, SAS, Lufthansa and Thai Airlines. In this alliance none of the members have ownership or owns stakes on each others airlines. This alliance was evolving by itself and by common business strategies among its members. More recently, Alitalia tried to become part of the KLM-Northwest, but it was halted for reasons of antitrust policies. Things are getting complicated for airlines to become members of airline alliances. Recommendations:1.All airlines, domestic and foreign, should keep pushing toward the deregulation of the markets and try to gain better position across the world market. This effort have to start from within each country and not trying to force others countries to do so first. This applies specially to the case of the United States. A relevant fact is that wherever airline deregulation has been adopted, we have seen a lower fares, competition and better quality of service to gain the business of the flying public.2.Safety regulations have to be equal to everybody. It has to be imposed to everyone that w...
