LNIDA, I think it could go either way, but have no more information than I read on here. I think it all comes down to who has the greatest influence with the authorities; the US airlines saying no or Boeing saying yes. AS I said, the law will have little to do with the decision, but will be manipulated to justify the decision - NLH have the EI AOC, so they meet the legislative requirements and under Open Skies, have to be let in. Then again, as you point out, the IAA could be accused of being a flag of convenience and safety concerns used to justify a refusal. Like you say, it'd be a diplomatic issue, but frankly I don't think the IAA will have much clout. And one has to wonder why so many Italian, Spanish and even Russian airlines are jumping onto the EI register if it isn't making their life easier and cheaper for regulatory, compliance and operational issues...