IAG, AA must free four London-US slots until 2026

American Airlines Group and IAG International Airlines Group must continue to offer competitors four airport slots on three routes between the United Kingdom and the United States until March 2026, according to a decision by the UK competition watchdog. The routes affected are London Heathrow or London Gatwick to Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami Int'l (one slot each), and London to Boston (two slots). A tender process will be held in Autumn 2023 to allow new entrants to apply for slots on the routes concerned, according to an April 4, 2022, decision by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This follows its decision on the same date to extend until the IATA Winter 2025/2026 season, interim measures first announced on September 17, 2020, which oblige American Airlines and IAG Group member airlines to free up the four slots on the three routes concerned. The measures have enabled competitors to enter the routes, including United Airlines on London-Boston; Delta Air Corporation on Boston-Dallas; and Virgin Atlantic (VS, London Heathrow) on the Miami route via Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson, the CMA said.<br/>