LONDON, March 23: British Airways said on Thursday it wanted talks to start immediately on liberalisation of the US aviation market after EU transport ministers cleared plans to free up transatlantic routes between Europe and the United States.

BA is annoyed that the “open skies” agreement between the EU and US forbids European airlines from flying between American cities, while American carriers can fly between destinations in the European Union.

But a clause in the deal means Britain could re-impose restrictions on US airlines operating in Europe in 2010 if there was no progress in a second round of negotiations aimed at removing internal barriers in the United States.

“With the EU having given away their most valuable negotiating asset -- Heathrow -- the UK government must stand by its pledge to withdraw traffic rights if the US does not deliver further liberalisation by 2010,” said BA chief executive Willie Walsh.

“The EU is naive to believe the US will deliver on the next stage of liberalisation without sanctions, so we are pleased the UK government has recognised this and demanded an automatic termination clause.

“Nothing short of an open aviation area by 2010 will be acceptable and we want talks on the second stage to achieve this to start immediately.” Those talks are planned to take place by January 2008.

“We will hold the government to its word to fight for Britain's interests if America doesn't play ball,” Walsh said in a statement.—AFP