Free trade means price wars, and price wars mean cost cutting. No prizes for guessing who will suffer.

Paul, Milton Keynes,

Bill, I agree with you, it was a racket, one held by 2 UK and 2 US airlines. But a legally binding one. For exactly that reason the EU should have got more from the US. But it is right that the old agreement has gone.
US airlines are afraid of competition, and even the UK's "special relationship" with the US was not powerful enough to bring some equality into the game. Besides, the EU loves screwing the Brits!

Oliver, Spain,

Maybe the UK/Europe should have insisted that Open Skies only applied to airlines not in Chapter 11 or benefiting from other similar state subsidies ? After all, European airlines aren't allowed to receive state subsidies, so that would only be establishing a fair playing field. Come to think of it, they could inist on that being the case for all airlines flying into the EU, irrespective of nationality.

And accusing the UK of being the most protectionist country in the western world is a bit much - I doubt there are many, if any, other countries that freely allow overseas businesses to come in and buy up their major companies !! Rememer Ports of Dubai trying to buy into the US, and the howls of anger that caused in Congress ??

Andy Wardle, Bridgwater, UK

To Bill, Chicago, USA

Claims of a "racket" from the most protectionest country in the western world are a bit rich. The reason for the voting split is that the only potential loser is the UK.

John Kane, Reading, Berks

Any move towards freer trade is valuable, even if it is one-sided. UK travellers will enjoy cheaper flights (despite Gordon Brown) and the UK will benefit from closer business connections with the US. Meanwhile, the US airlines behind their protectionist wall will become flabbier and less efficient....leading on to the day when we can take over. The only losers are quasi-monopolistic European airlines.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Just another example of the American bully. It is time the world put this arrogant self centred nation on notice that they are not as important as they think. They are one nation amongst many and have long lost their respect and leadership role. It is time we all demanded fair play.

Tim, Cadiz, Spain

At least we can still vote with our wallets. The US government REQUIRES its employees to fly American carriers, so the EU could do the same here - if it really had the guts to stand up to the US. As "Europeans" we can all fly our national carriers instead of US airlines. If no-one wants them, they'll soon pack up and go home as no US airline is going to run unprofitable routes for long. Heck, they're all in Chapter 11 anyway!

Brian, Farnham, UK

US protectionism continues....

T, London,

Yes the EU put Britains best interest last and the US as they have done so often thought only of themselves, and yes labour caved again to what is not best for the UK in the long run, so why is anyone suprised by this.
I worked in the US for the past six years, they are fighting to keep EU carriers out because of how absolutely awful the service is on American flights.

The yanks despite their marketing have rude and bad service, mostly old planes, usually not on time and very very expensive domestic flights.
No wonder they are trying to hold onto the market, they have seen what happens when a former bastion of American greatness gets real competition it caves, just look at the Detroit car makers, bloated, poor quality, bad service and boring designs. Toyota and Honda has done what BA, Luft, Virgin etc will do to United and AA etc, show the yanks that they have been ripped off for years.

Paul Phillips, Birmingham, UK

Another joke played by the EU with the Americans not giving anything in return.
How much longer do we have to put up with this before the Brits wake up and demand home rule?

Cliff, brighton,

To Bill In Chicago,
does that mean you look forward to the "US internal market monopoly racket" being terminated as well?

stephen, st albans herts, uk

Yet another defeat of the UK interests at the hands of the EU. Can anyone think of any "battle" we have won against the Eurocrats? Ever. If France had been the one losing so much, there is no way that this deal would have gone through.

Paul Holden, Northants,

Should not 26 to 1 tell you that it was a racket. Be grateful you had such a long run.

Bill, Chicago, USA

Our governmental negotiators have created little wealth for the country until today. What makes anyone think they could begin now?

Edwin Thornber, Bucharest, Romania