Viewing the Sunday papers & items relating to BA and aviation there was also another item in the pink 'Business' paper. It stated that several sources confirm that the 'open sky' freedom will be signed at the end of the month by the USA and EU committee. It added that BA has already made plans to exercise 5th freedom rights when the 06 October winter schedules kicks off. BMI will look to ceasing a number of their LHR-EU routes and code share / lease to permit switching to longhaul (which has always been their stated intention). Should this come to pass then clearly this will place much greater emphasis on pensions and BA costs at LHR. Whether there is any credance in the article it must follow that eventually it will be signed and there is much to be resolved within BA prior to that and for WW a greater urgency to settle the pensions issue?