British Air Alters Plan to Invest in USAir

WASHINGTON — USAir announced Thursday that British Airways has agreed to invest $300 million in the American carrier, modifying an earlier deal to provide both airlines with more access to passengers in Europe and the United States.

The transaction requires approval of the U.S. Transportation Department. A larger-scale version of this deal was withdrawn last month in the face of Bush Administration opposition, but executives of both airlines expressed optimism that the Clinton Administration would approve the new agreement.