bmi pushes for open skies

A leading British airline has pressed the British government to make a last-ditch effort to broker a landmark “open skies” policy between the EU and US.

Michael Bishop, chairman of bmi, warned that if negotiations are not concluded by June, the prospect of opening up competition on routes across the Atlantic from Heathrow will be put on hold for almost 12 months.

The East Midlands-based carrier hopes a deal will break the monopoly of British Airways and Virgin on services to America from Heathrow.