Competition for two of the largest transatlantic routes – London’s Heathrow to Miami and Boston – will intensify with Delta Airlines application to run services from London to both destinations.

The move by the US-based airline comes after regulators decided that British Airways and American Airlines would be allowed to operate jointly across the Atlantic. As a condition of the approval, however, the EU has required that both carriers relinquish four slots to competing airlines to prevent a risk to competition.

Delta has jumped to take advantage of the move, requesting approval from the EU and US Department of Transportation to begin twice-daily flights for both the Miami and Boston routes. As the aviation industry begins to show its first signs of recovery from the recession, it is expected that more rival airlines will also petition for the slots.

Delta, which currently bases at Gatwick, had begun offering services from Heathrow in March 2008 after the Open Skies agreement was passed between the US and EU. If it does win approval for the additional slots, the airline will offer 10 services per day at the busy London hub. 

For the Boston route, Delta will be competing with BA, Virgin Atlantic and American should it win approval. It will face similar rivals on the Miami route. Since Miami is seen as a year-round destination, due to cruise passengers holidaying in the Caribbean, it is widely sought after by airlines. The Boston route is also a busy market as it is viewed as the gateway to New England.