Britain was today agreeing to a transatlantic air travel deal which will open up the Heathrow to New York route to European airlines.

The Government was opposed to plans which would lift current restrictions limiting the route to just four carriers, BA, Virgin, American Airlines and United Airlines.

But in a U-turn Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander is expected to vote with the rest of the EU for a new "Open Skies" deal with Washington at talks in Brussels today.

The agreement will allow European airlines, for the first time, to run transatlantic flights to any American city from any EU country and not just their home country. In return US carriers will have free access to European airports.