Consultation on proposed commitments in respect of the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement
The Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) purpose is to help people, businesses and the UK economy by promoting competition and tackling unfair behaviour.
About this consultation
The CMA is consulting on commitments offered by American Airlines (AA); subsidiaries of International Consolidated Airlines Group: British Airways (BA), Iberia and Aer Lingus; and Finnair in relation to the CMA’s investigation into the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement (AJBA) under the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998. The CMA’s investigation relates to concerns that the AJBA may have the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition on four routes between London and US cities: London – Boston, London – Chicago, London – Dallas and London – Miami.
To address the competition concerns the CMA identified during the course of its investigation, the five airlines have offered the following commitments:
- Slot commitments. AA and BA have offered to make slot pairs available to competing airlines for use on 3 UK – US city pairs (London – Boston, London – Chicago and London – Miami).
- Local passenger volume commitment. AA and BA have offered to carry a minimum number of ‘local passengers’ (those who don’t start or end their journey elsewhere) on the London-Dallas route each year.
- Supporting measures. The commitments also include measures to support competing airlines on London – Boston, London – Chicago and London – Miami, including giving access to connecting passengers on preferential terms.
This consultation closes at 5pm, 23 April 2025.
We want to hear from you
The CMA provisionally considers that the proposed commitments address the competition concerns identified by the CMA for the reasons set out in the Notice of Intention to Accept Commitments. Therefore, subject to consultation responses, the CMA proposes to accept the proposed commitments.
The CMA is now inviting views from stakeholders on the proposed commitments.
Responding to our consultation
Send your responses by email to: AJB-Response@cma.gov.uk.
The CMA does not intend to publish any responses, however, the information contained in the responses may be used or summarised on an anonymous basis in public documents. If your response contains any information that you regard as sensitive, please identify the information and explain why you regard it as sensitive.
Your personal data
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