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- <text id=92TT2657>
- <title>
- Nov. 30, 1992: Over to You
- </title>
- <history>
- TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1992
- Nov. 30, 1992 Windsor: A House Dividing
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>Time Magazine</source>
- <hdr>
- THE WEEK
- BUSINESS, Page 22
- Over to You
- </hdr><body>
- <p>Washington's approval of an airline deal invites foreign carriers
- to reciprocate
- </p>
- <p> Just maybe, there is a cease-fire in the global air wars. As a
- first step toward easing transatlantic tensions, the U.S.
- Department of Transportation has tentatively approved the
- proposed merger of Northwest and KLM Royal Dutch airlines. The
- endorsement comes as Washington and European countries spar over
- "open skies" agreements. Britain, for instance, is pressing the
- U.S. to okay a proposed alliance between British Airways and
- USAir. The Americans are also squabbling with France and Germany
- over airport landing rights. U.S. airlines have generally
- opposed making any concessions unless European countries
- reciprocate by opening their markets to American carriers. By
- giving the green light to KLM, Washington is hoping the
- Europeans will make the next move and return the favor.
- </p>
- <p> If the KLM-Northwest deal flies, it would mark the first
- time in the U.S. that a foreign and a domestic airline would be
- allowed to function as one company. KLM and NW will consolidate
- their fleets, fare structures and sales forces. But the merger
- may be too little, too late for financially troubled NW, which
- is struggling to avoid bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the U.S. airline
- industry remains a dangerous battleground. MGM Grand Air, a
- three-year-old luxury carrier, withdrew from scheduled
- passenger service last week after it failed to stem financial
- losses.
- </p>
-
- </body></article>
- </text>
-
-