British Airways PLC (BAY.LN) along with other members of the oneworld alliance have gained the support of California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in their application for antitrust immunity status, or ATI.

British Airways, AMR's Corp (AMR) American Airlines, Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA (IBLA.MC), Finnair OYJ (FIA1S.HE) and Royal Jordanian are seeking ATI status which would allow the airlines to work more closely together and bypass monopoly laws in the U.S. Should they gain ATI approval, they would be able to work together on scheduling and pricing in a deal that would also involve revenue sharing.

In a letter posted on a U.S. government regulations Web site March 25, Schwarzenegger urges the Department of Transportation to approve the airlines' application, which would "allow them to compete with the Star and SkyTeam alliances, which already have broad antitrust immunity for transatlantic flights."

Schwarzenegger, who offers additional assistance, added approval "will positively impact the air travel industry" by offering customers more service, scheduling and pricing options and "will help ensure that they continue to benefit from having three competitive air alliances."

Company Web site: www.britishairways.com

                     www.aa.com 
                     www.iberia.com

-By Kaveri Niththyananthan, Dow Jones Newswires; 4420 7842 9299; kaveri.niththyananthan@dowjones.com