statement

BTC Supports US-EU Open Skies Agreement

Financially stronger airline industry; lower business airfares expected

Radnor, PA., March 21, 2007–The Business Travel Coalition (BTC) today expressed full support for the recently negotiated EU-US Open Skies Agreement to be voted upon tomorrow by the European Commission’s Transport Council. This breakthrough development, if approved tomorrow, will usher in a new era of lower costs for airlines, greater access to strategically important aviation markets and lower airfares for corporations that fund business travel activities.

On the eve of this historic vote, the Coalition has produced a Special Edition of BTC Radio with special guest Paul Mifsud, Vice President of Government and Legal Affairs, USA, for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Mr. Mifsud is the preeminent expert in this area, having been knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands for his significant contributions to air trade liberalization. Mifsud will provide the historic context for the vote tomorrow as well as analysis of the agreement.

The 18-minute show can be listened to at http://btcblog.typepad.com/btcradio/2007/03/eu_us_open_skie.html.