Congress won't block a Bush administration plan to allow foreign investors more management control of U.S. airlines.
House and Senate negotiators on Tuesday night agreed to drop language from a spending bill that would have delayed the plan. That paves the way for a new aviation treaty between the European Union and the U.S.
Such an "open skies" agreement would allow EU and U.S. airlines to fly wherever they want and charge whatever they want for trans-Atlantic flights.
Advocates hope such a deal will increase air travel, lower air fares and create jobs.
Opponents say they are concerned that the plan could undermine national security.
"First it was our ports, and now it's our airlines," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., who called the plan dangerous.
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