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The seminal victories, changes to air-cargo regulations in 1977 and the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, exposed both domestic cargo and passenger service to the bracing winds of competition. Thereafter, presidential administrations from both political parties pursued the Open Skies initiative, which over the next decade or so also largely deregulated routes and fares for international air service to the United States.
Source: Saving Airline Deregulation – Milken Institute Review
