'Open skies' pact moves to U.S., EU votes

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The United States and Europe Union have negotiated a landmark deal that would lift restrictions on trans-Atlantic flights.

The so-called "open skies" agreement reached in Washington Friday took years to bring to fruition and now must be approved by the U.S. government and the 25 members of the EU, the BBC reported Saturday.

If approved, U.S. airlines will be allowed to fly to airports in European Union countries and on to third destinations, the BBC said. European airlines would be allowed to land at U.S. airports and also take off for other destinations.

Flights are currently restricted by several unilateral deals with individual governments.