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U.S. seeks easing of airline ownership rules

Story Highlights
State Department official says U.S. proposing countries ease airline ownership rules
Ease of restrictions aims to spur international investment in the industry
Airlines now must be owned, controlled by nationals of the two participating countries
The U.S. alone has more than 100 such agreements
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- A State Department official has said the U.S. is proposing that dozens of countries ease their airline ownership rules in an effort to spur international investment in the industry.

The U.S. has agreed not to bar service from airlines in 10 European countries that are not members of the EU.

The proposal would change restrictions in the current, mostly bilateral system that require airlines to be owned and controlled by nationals of the two participating countries.

John Byerly, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Transportation Affairs, said in a phone interview that the U.S. alone has more than 100 such agreements, and along with similar ones in other countries, it creates "an incredible web of restrictions."

The U.S. has already agreed not to bar service from airlines in 10 European countries that are not members of the EU and some African countries.

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