Heathrow options increased this spring

LONDON, May 13 (UPI) -- Travelers flying to London will have increased options and, possibly, cheaper fares this year, industry observers said.

An agreement between the United States and the European Union that took effect March 30 has opened restrictions that previously allowed only four airlines to connect between U.S. departure points and London's Heathrow Airport, USA Today reported.

Several airlines, including Delta, Northwest and Continental, have been eager to add Heathrow to its schedules.

Continental paid about $209 million to add Heathrow to its options, the price for four daily landing slots, the paper reported.

The change may cause some airlines to pull back from Heathrow, which is 30 miles closer to London than the next nearest option, London Gatwick.

So far, however, the options for Heathrow have increased.

Airlines, as of this June, will offer 95 daily flights each way between Heathrow and the United States, up from 82 a year ago, Sabre Airline Solutions said.

Tickets may drop in price. If they don't, frequent flier Randy Jones of Marietta, Ga., told USA Today the savings time and transport fees from Gatwick to London have been to his advantage.