SkyTeam members Delta and Northwest Airlines, and four allies – Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines and KLM – have asked for antitrust immunity from US officials, claiming that closer alliance co-operation would increase traveller choices by 42% on existing routes. Northwest particularly needs the deal now that long-time bilateral partner KLM is owned by Air France. American Airlines, still without antitrust immunity for its alliance with British Airways, is the sole major objector, saying the move would reduce competition. The Business Travel Coalition, which supported the AA/BA antitrust request in 2001, supports the SkyTeam bid, which it says “would increase the likelihood of US-European Union open skies”.