Brussels, March 23:

Transatlantic air travel will increase by 50 per cent and passengers will save EUR15 billion on fares by 2013, EU governments and the European commission claimed after transport ministers unanimously approved a landmark open skies aviation deal with the US.

Jacques Barrot, EU transport commissioner, said the agreement to allow European and American airlines to fly to any destination in Europe and the US would create 80,000 jobs.

He added that it would trigger a new wave of mergers within the European aviation industry

as near-bankrupt Alitalia seeks a partner and Lufthansa, the German carrier, was linked with Spain’s Iberia.