FORT WORTH, Texas - American Airlines and Finnair have received U.S. antitrust immunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Stating that “open-skies initiatives encourage more competitive service,” the DOT opened the doors for the two carriers to cooperate on scheduling and pricing initiatives, enhancing the airlines` existing codeshare agreement as well as the global oneworld alliance under which the two carriers operate.

“Antitrust immunity allows American and Finnair to plan and coordinate our services and networks so that we can offer the traveling public better service through the efficiencies and reduced operating costs such cooperation can generate,” said David Cush, American’s Vice President of International Planning and Alliances. “We will immediately look for opportunities to deepen and expand our successful relationship.”
Finnair offers an outstanding reputation and a strong route network in northern Europe and beyond into Russia and the major cities of the Baltic region. The airline flies daily service between Helsinki and New York Kennedy. American currently has no service into the Scandinavian region.
American is building a new terminal at New York Kennedy International Airport, Finnair`s gateway to Northern Europe. The terminal will house a new international arrivals facility capable of handling more than 2,400 passengers an hour. It is expected to be completed by September 2006.
Finnair, the national carrier of Finland, serves more than 50 cities in almost 40 countries with more than 400 daily flights. The airline is currently undergoing substantial expansion in Asia, launching flights to Hong Kong earlier this year with its Helsinki gateway an ideal gateway from the continent into Europe. In July 2002, it was named the first winner of Airline Business magazine’s Strategy Technology Award for its industry leadership in the field of eCommerce.
Through the oneworld alliance, American customers can accrue and redeem AAdvantage miles, use airport lounges and other conveniences throughout the world, including on Finnair’s network. In particular, the deeper relationship will enhance service on American and Finnair flights between the United States and northern and central European cities via Helsinki.
oneworld is the most international of the global airline alliances, a grouping of some of the best known, highest quality names in the airline business, working together to make global travel smoother, easier, more rewarding and a better value than any individual airline can by itself. Besides American Airlines and Finnair, oneworld`s members include British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific Airways, Iberia, LanChile and Aer Lingus. Between them, oneworld`s members serve 135 countries - more than any other global airline alliance - with flights to some 575 destinations. On average, there is a departure or arrival somewhere around the globe every five seconds around the clock.
American Airlines is the world`s largest carrier. Together with the American Eagle and AmericanConnection regional carriers, the American Airlines network serves more than 250 cities in 41 countries and territories with approximately 4,400 daily flights. The combined American Airlines network fleet numbers more than 1,100 aircraft. Only American provides More Room Throughout Coach for More Coach Passengers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld alliance.

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