Reports from Brussels suggest the European Union is likely to approve the proposed transatlantic tie-up between European carriers British Airways (BA) and Iberia and US carrier American Airways (AA) this week.
The approval may be granted as early as tomorrow, with the possibility that British Airways will be ordered to give up slots at Heathrow.
If the antitrust immunity is granted, it will allow the airlines to take a step closer to operating a joint business on routes between Europe and the US, sharing revenues and coordinating routes.
The airlines remain in the dark, however, about the timeline of any decisions.
An Iberian spokesman told ABTN: "We have been waiting for it for a long time now, but we really don't know."
BA also said it does not yet know when or if the immunity will be granted.
A final decision from the US department of transport will also be needed before the airlines can move forward with their plans.
BA and AA were given initial permission by the United States Department of Transport (US DoT) to cooperate on schedules and ticket pricing in February, on the condition that they give up slots at Heathrow.
If and when it is ultimately granted, the anti-trust immunity (ATI) would make all carriers in the Oneworld alliance - including Finnair and Royal Jordanian - immune from competition laws and allow them to compete on a level playing field with rival alliances Skyteam and Star Alliance.
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