Date set for UK flights into Orly
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRITISH airlines have won the right to fly into Orly airport in Paris. But they are still challenging restrictions on the number of flights and types of aircraft using Orly.
The deal to admit four British flights a day to Orly from 13 June was agreed at a weekend meeting between John MacGregor, Secretary of State for Transport and his French counterpart, Bernard Bosson, at Annecy in France.
It represents a victory over the French government by Mr MacGregor and the European Commission which made it plain that the refusal to open Orly to British airlines was in breach of both the spirit and the letter of internal market directives on transport.
The French agreement to admit four flights a day from any single United Kingdom airline is in keeping with British Airways' requirements, but falls short of Air UK's goal of running five or even six return flights a day to Orly. Under the current proposals Air France will also be able to run four flights a day between London and Orly.
The UK is expected to challenge before the European Commission the limits on smaller aircraft using Orly. The French government says the restriction is needed to ease congestion at the airport.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments