British Airways have announced they will launch a subsidiary airline named OpenSkies, which will operate daily flights between New York and either Brussels or Paris.

The airlines name OpenSkies comes from the historic agreement signed between the EU and US allowing the free movement of flights between European and US cities.

British Airways’ chief executive Willie Walsh said: “This is an exciting new venture for us and we’re confident that it will be a great success as we build on the strength of British Airways’ brand in the US and Europe.

 
“By naming the airline OpenSkies, we’re celebrating the first major step in 60 years towards a liberalised US/EU aviation market which means we can fly between any US and EU destination. It also signals our determination to lobby for further liberalisation in this market when talks between the EU and US take place later this year.”

British Airways will operate a single Boeing 757 from June 2008 flying from New York to either Brussels or Paris then further expanding with a second aircraft later in the year that will fly to the other European destination. By the end of 2009 OpenSkies will operate 6 Boeing 757 aircraft

The Boeing 757 aircraft that will be used by OpenSkies will carry up to 82 passengers with three cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy, there will be 24 seats in Business Class that convert into 6 ft flat beds, 28 premium economy seats with a 52 inch seat pitch and 30 economy seats.