P.M. BRIEFING : EC Body OKs Airline Changes

BRUSSELS —  European Community transport ministers today agreed in principle on the basic outlines of air transport liberalization between the 12 member states by Jan. 1, 1993, officials said.

“I believe that today we see a major breakthrough toward the liberalization of air transport,” Sir Leon Brittan, EC Commission vice president in charge of competition, told a news conference.

Brittan said that the ministers after a two-day session adopted “a pilot package” but that there will be further evolution in the future.

He said the package applies “pressure toward lower fares and a wider choice for customers.”

The EC Commission has been trying for a long time to break up the monopolies of state-run or state-protected airlines in the community that agreed among them on fares and distribution of routes.