U.K. SEEK "FAIR DEAL FOR U.K. CARGO CARRIERS" IN U.S.

   Having granted Federal Express "fifth-freedom" rights from Scotland to continental Europe, British transportation officials have asked the U.S. to open new talks aimed at liberalizing the U.S.-U.K. cargo markets.
   The U.K. wants the U.S. to reciprocate the FedEx gesture by granting
British cargo carriers fifth-freedom rights and wet-lease rights in the U.S.
   "Our priority is to get a fair deal for U.K. cargo carriers in the
United States," said U.K. Minister for Transport Lord Macdonald in a
statement. "We will offer fifth-freedom rights to U.S. carriers from all
U.K. airports in return for a relaxation of the U.S. rules which inhibit
our carriers."
   U.S. officials are evaluating the U.K. government’s proposal and no
talks are scheduled, a U.S. Transportation Department spokesman said.
   British regulators said they will withhold judgment on an application by
FedEx for fifth-freedom rights at London’s Stansted airport until the U.S.
grants reciprocal rights to U.K. carriers.
   The BCAA has long pushed for separate negotiations over cargo rights, but hardly under these circumstances. A spokesman for the group called the U.S.-U.K. negotiations over Stansted a "red herring" thrown up by the U.K. government to divert attention from politics involved in the Prestwick decision.
   California-based Polar Air Cargo also was granted fifth-freedom rights
to fly freighters from Prestwick to destinations in Africa. An application
filed to U.S. regulators by Air Foyle for fifth freedom rights at Newark
International Airport in New Jersey is pending.