AJC.com > Opinion > Opinion Talk > Archives > 2008 > June > 06 > Entry

Atlanta to New York on British Air?

Penn State University professor Terrence Guay argues that the the U.s. should allow foreign ownership of airlines, so that, for example, British Air could offer flights between Atlanta and New York.

“Right now,,, foreign airlines like British Airways are permitted to fly to a U.S. destination to pick up or drop off passengers but cannot provide direct service between U.S. cities,” he writes. “Relaxing the restrictions on foreign ownership would allow British Airways and other foreign carriers to serve U.S. locations that are underserved now. It also would avoid the reduction in routes and elimination of cities served when two U.S. carriers merge. And for anyone dreaming of decent meals and better service — even in economy class — foreign airlines have a lot to offer, as almost anyone who has flown abroad can attest.”

How about it?

Permalink | Comments (17) | Categories: Forum

Comments

Commenting is now closed for this entry.

By L

June 6, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this

Lufthansa already owns a chunk of JetBlue. Virgin Atlantic “doesn’t” own part of Virgin America (nudge nudge wink wink). Air France/KLM already has a serious interest in both Delta and Northwest (who are merging). It’s an inevitable outcome of the recent open skies treaties with the EU. And it’s going to be necessary as Middle Eastern giants like Emirates and Etihad start increasing their presence in the global airspace.

By AH

June 6, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Why the hell not. We have screwed up our air industry to the point it doesn’t matter who owns it.

By Fix-It

June 6, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Stop selling America off and fix it!

By zeke

June 6, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

NO! The US government needs to get the hell out of the way and let American companies in all fields expand, merge or whatever to increase their presence, economic viability and success! The very anti business anti trust(communist) rules are continuing to destroy the American business!! Oh sure, The AT & T breakup has allowed more companies into the market, but, what has that accomplished? Nothing but increased costs to the consumer and bad service! They force AT & T to sell use of their own networks to these upstarts to insure competition! This does nothing but confiscate the work and investment of AT&T to benefit companies that cannot or will not spend money to set up their own systems, and, in turn raises the prices AT & T charges the consumer to offset this special pricing to the other companies! Ridiculous! Requiring Microsoft to give it’s proprietary codes to competitors is unconstitutional and un American! We need to rid our government of these socialist who put such actions into use! Th nlrb needs to be disbanded for the socialist organization it is! And, many others need to be disbanded also!

By Darrel

June 6, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Why not? Sure, might as well sell everything to foreign interests. We do it anyway. Besides, as for airlines, they would most likely do a much better job than what we’re used to having here anyway. Probably be on time more, too. Besides, it won’t be long that only the Europeans will have any fuel for anything.

By Copyleft

June 6, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Permitting monopolies to screw the workers and consumers is what’s Un-American, Zeke.

But then, you’re pretty un-American yourself, so I guess you’d be okay with that.

By Crafty

June 6, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Copyleft, Other that put downs, I see that you never offer any solutions. Typical liberal vagina. Always menstruating all over someones thoughts and ideas. I have an idea for you. Go buy a large bottle of Midol and sit in a bathroom for the rest of your life. Your nothing more than afterbirth in a trashcan.

By GaLiberal

June 6, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

I would love it if BA could have flights here in the US. It would increase competition, provide more stability, and reduce the need for airlines to sucker people with low-ball prices then stick them with stupid charges like checked bag fees.

This is what Bush and the Rethuglicons have done to the US economy in just eight short years. When Bill Clinton left office, the US had a budget surplus and was in the process of paying down the debt. So Bush manufactures some ‘economic slowdown’ to justify spending the surplus on tax cuts for his constituency - the haves and the have mores. Then he trots out the lie that Iraq was involved in 9/11 and we had to ‘liberate’ Iraq to keep us safe. So to prevent any tax increases, he pays for the war with deficit spending. Now the dollar has tanked and oil prices are soaring driving up the costs of everything. I’ll remember in November. Will you?

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And the US airlines are living proof.

By Copyleft

June 6, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Crafty: As long as “conservatives” like you and Zeke are representing the right wing, REAL Americans (i.e., liberals) have very little to worry about.

Go cry some more about how this country has left you behind.

By C

June 6, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Copyleft , How can you assume I’m a right winger? I was pointing out your rants on other peoples opinions when you offer nothing but cut downs. How has the country left me behind? I have nothing to complain about because I’m living the dream. Your a p** off liberal who spends too much time demeaning other people who you don’t agree with.

By Crafty

June 6, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Copyleft , How can you assume I’m a right winger? I was pointing out your rants on other peoples opinions when you offer nothing but cut downs. How has the country left me behind? I have nothing to complain about because I’m living the dream. Your a p** off liberal who spends too much time demeaning other people who you don’t agree with.

By Pat

June 6, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Capitalism is about having as much competition out there. Monopolies create only one company so people can not choose who to go with and that is communism, it is simple economics that the more companies out there, the lower the price of goods so the foriegn airlines need to come in here and give us better service and lower prices.

By T

June 6, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Bad Idea. I would like to have one American based industry stay that way. Maybe then American dollars would be used to support American companies and an American economy. Sure, we are definately getting it handed to us in the auto, appliance, electronic, toy, and countless other sectors. Foreign countries are not exactly worried about the US taking over any part of there markets. Maybe because we dont manufacture many items anymore. American support for American products has diminished. Can we keep one industry in America, American?? Just a thought.

By Crafty

June 6, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

T, You can thank taxes and unions for our debacle. Gas would be cheaper if taxes were not jacked up. Unions have almost single handedly killed GM. No wonder people want to hire illegals. They don’t seem to cry and moan when they actually come to work to do a job.

By Fix-It

June 6, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Crafty, I agree with you wholeheartedly about Copyleft. They should set up a crybaby blog just for him/her.

By Dana

June 6, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Why not, the government has given almost every part of America away. The only thing left is the small amount of American workers, paying taxes for illegals, welfare bums, and government workers who do very little to earn their money. Mexico has taken over the work forse here. If you dont speak Spanish you cant qualify the the job, just look in the paper. Hey I figure that in a few years I will move to Mexico because they will all be over hear living off the welfare system and having babies for the New America.

The government has sold us out and and no it should not sell out the Airlines. Remember the plains being used as bombs a few years ago. Remember 9-11. Stop foreign crap and let Americans retake our country. This is America, English, working America. The government needs to stand up and fight for OUR AMERICAN rights for once.

By Fernando

June 6, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

YES! More competition will improve services and decrease prices. Passengers will have the chance to choose between the terrible services provided by most American airlines’ flight attendants, and the very friendly Asian/European/Latin American flight attendants.

 

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