Airlines join forces for new US-Heathrow routes

Air France-KLM and US airline Delta today unveiled plans for transatlantic flights out of Heathrow in a move set to rival British Airways.

The venture will see the two airlines join forces to share revenues and costs on routes linking major US cities and London’s Heathrow from next April.

The agreement takes advantage of the “open skies” deal signed between the European Union and the US to free-up historically highly restricted transatlantic routes, which comes into force in March next year.

The Air France-KLM and Delta pact will challenge the dominant market position at Heathrow currently held by BA and the Oneworld alliance, led by BA and American Airlines.