Management Update: Open Skies now a reality.

The U.S. and the European Union reached an agreement on an expansion of their historic 2007 Open Skies accord that will provide for greater U.S-EU cooperation on a wide range of aviation issues. The agreement was concluded after eight rounds of talks, the most recent of which included three days in Brussels, Belgium. This makes good on President Obama's promise to European leaders that such an understanding would be met this year. This accord affirms that the terms of the 2007 agreement will remain in place indefinitely; and it also deepens U.S.-EU cooperation in aviation security, safety, competition, and ease of travel. In addition, it provides greater protections for U.S. carriers from local restrictions on night flights at European airports.