Given the rumors last week swirling about British Airways making an offer for British airline bmi — today’ s news that United Airlines and bmi are seeking a potential alliance is quite interesting.

So why is bmi suddenly such a hot commodity? It controls 12% of the gates at London’s Heathrow Airport.

In a request filed with the DOT Monday, the airlines seek permission to create an alliance starting next March.

The reason such a deal can even be considered, of course, is because of the recent US/EU “open skies” deal.

Ticker: (UAUA:Nasdaq)