Dallas Business Journal: Exclusive: North Texas business, government leaders urge Open Skies airline talks
“Business and government leaders in North Texas and statewide have asked the U.S. government to open consultations with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to discuss an alleged $42 billion in state subsidies provided to Qatar Airways, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways.
Business and government leaders in North Texas and statewide have asked the U.S. government to open consultations with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to discuss an alleged $42 billion in state subsidies provided to Qatar Airways, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways.The discussions are allowed under existing “Open Skies” agreements, intended to foster fair competition among airlines around the world, free of government interference.
The talks are necessary to protect thousands of high-quality North Texas aviation jobs and airline operations, said Mabrie Jackson, president and CEO of the North Texas Commission. If left unchecked, the state subsidies for the Middle Eastern carriers tip the scales in their favor and hamper the ability of Americans to compete, she said.”