While We Were Gone...

Below is a brief rundown of the most important developments in aviation law and policy that took place while the blog was on holiday break:

• The EU announced a new agenda for external aviation policy.
• Lufthansa, United and Air Canada have offered concessions on the Frankfurt-New York route in response to concerns raised by the European Commission's antitrust investigation into the airlines' Star Alliance partnership.
• President Obama signed the No-Hassle Flying Act allowing the Transportation Security Administration to waive screening requirements for baggage that has already been screened at foreign airports operating under aviation security preclearance agreements with the United States.
• American Airlines and US Airways took additional steps toward merging into the world's largest airline.
• The Portuguese government postponed the privatization of flag carrier TAP Air Portugal.

Regular blogging will resume next week.