Bloomberg News reported that American Airlines, the second largest carrier in U. S., and British Airways, the third largest in Europe, announced their partnership on Tuesday, after the approval of the U. S. Government on the deal.

The deal, reports claimed, will not reduce competition or limit other transactions or partnerships between the newly-merged firms and other airlines in the world.

Instead, it will definitely end up with the two carriers having a Oneworld trans-Atlantic alliance, joining America and Europe, and allowing both airlines to, , "jointly set prices, sell tickets and schedule international flights" according to the United States Transportation Department.

The deal will also reduce the costs and duplications, which were weighing down the airline companies, as well as the travelers, during the intense economic atmosphere.

Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic's President, expressed his worries from the market monopoly after this merger, accusing the U. S. regulators of putting "the interests of BA and AA before those of the flying public".

However, the regulators assured, before announcing their approval on the deal, that 8 takeoff and landing slots at Heathrow Airport, London would be saved for the other airline companies. This would result in neutralizing the competition among the aviation market.

Susan Kurland, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, also clarified that the deal has no negative impact on the market or "the public interest".