European regulation, and the competition rules in particular, are having a marked impact upon the shape of the airline industry. In the highly competitive market place, as airports are privatised, the shift from a public service mission to the generation of profits has created tension with the airlines operating from those airports.

The March 2008 deadline for implementation of the ground-breaking Open Skies Agreement between the EU and the US, which it is hoped will herald a raft of new direct services between European and American destinations, looms closer.

This conference will give you the opportunity to take stock of the industry with a panel of speakers from the European Commission, the US Government, from the airline industry and from legal and economic professionals working in the sector.

WilmerHale partner, Sven Voelcker, will speak on the topic of the impact of the Ryanair decision on merger control at this event, hosted by IBC Legal Conferences.