Officials representing the world's two biggest aviation markets begin talks this week on clearing away some of the masses of regulations that have controlled the airline industry for decades. The so-called "open-skies" talks begin Wednesday in Washington between the European Union and the United States.
The talks may target restrictions on routing, pricing, and ownership of airlines on both sides of the Atlantic. An official with the U.S. Department of Transportation told VOA that the goal is to provide more options and lower prices for travelers and shippers.
Analysts predict slow progress in the politically sensitive discussions, and say they could eventually lead to a wave of consolidations in the airline industry.