U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (06-NY) Applauds The Approval Of The EU-US Open Skies Agreement

(WASHINGTON, DC)New York Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (06-NY) issued the following statement on the historic aviation agreement reached by the EU and U.S.:

As the representative of Americas transatlantic hub John F. Kennedy International Airport I have always been a long-time supporter of U.S. open skies policies. Mondays agreement between the EU and U.S. represents significant progress to end half-century old barriers in the global aviation industry for passenger and cargo carriers. This agreement presents new opportunities for consumers with lower prices fueled by new competition. I look forward to the rapid advance to phase 2 of this agreement to resolve all remaining issues. Meanwhile, I hope this agreement will serve as the springboard to achieve aviation liberalization between the U.S. and China before the upcoming Strategic Economic Dialogue talks, scheduled for May 23rd and 24th. Negotiators must seize on this window of opportunity to achieve a full breakthrough on open skies. Hopefully, any agreement with the Chinese government will include complete access for U.S. passenger and cargo carriers with no restrictions.