Open skies deal edges nearer

Anglo-American talks aimed at liberalising air travel across the Atlantic broke up without agreement, but British negotiators said they made substantial progress on the main issues. The aim is to open up Heathrow and US airports to more airlines, as well as enabling greater co-operation among airlines.

UK demands to restrict the size of aircraft which United Airlines could use on a new Chicago-Heathrow route were thought to be a sticking point but officials on both sides were hoping to conclude a deal on Friday. "Major issues have been resolved, but there are still several minor matters to deal with,'' a British spokesman said.