US AIRWAYS LOBBIES VIRGIN ATLANTIC SLOT EXEMPTION

US AIRWAYS LOBBIES VIRGIN ATLANTIC SLOT EXEMPTION    US Airways told the U.S. Department of Transportation that Virgin Atlantic should not be granted slots to fly between London and Chicago unless its allowed to serve London via Pittsburgh.
   “Under these circumstances, US Airways cannot envision how the department, in its discretion, can grant these exemption slots without publicly undermining the strength of its resolve to secure a balanced, competitive, open aviation relationship with the United Kingdom,” US Airways said in its filing. “The Department of Transportation is now confronted with the first critical test of U.S. resolve after the latest breakdown in U.S.-U.K. negotiations.”
   Virgin wanted to begin service between London and Chicago this summer. US Airways has been prevented from operating between Pittsburgh and London under the current U.S.-U.K. aviation agreement. British Airways abandoned the route last October.