Virgin Atlantic boss wants tough stand from EU negotiators

Virgin Atlantic boss wants tough stand from EU negotiators    Virgin Atlantic Airways Chairman Richard Branson Saturday urged European Union negotiators to take a tough stand when transatlantic aviation talks with the United States resume today.
   “There’s a very real prospect of the EU and U.S. finally achieving a historic and much needed open aviation agreement, but there’s still a danger that the U.S. government could secure a deal giving it all it wants with Europe getting little in return,” Branson said.
   The airline chief is concerned that U.S. airlines will be allowed to fly in to Heathrow and within Europe, but that the same courtesy will not be granted to European airlines within the United States.
   “We don’t know what each side is planning to table next week, but what we don’t want is an unbalanced deal giving the U.S. all it wants with little more than empty promises in return. In simple terms, the EU must not trade access to Heathrow — its most valuable asset — for anything less than a true open aviation agreement,” Branson said.