The USA wanted almost half of all of BAs slots at LHR as the cost of approving anti-trust for BA/AA. Those slots would go exclusively to Amercian carriers. The Amercian position has not changed. They are not interested in 'Open Skies', they are interested in LHR. It is a foolish and dangerous game to gamble the interests of the the two major British long haul carriers in favour of the minnow of BMI with its fleet of just four A330s. UK PLC stands to be a major loser with this deal. I sense a Gibraltar-esque sell out on the cards from Phoney Tony.