Houston Chronicle: Local leaders join ‘open skies’ debate
“Several Houston-area leaders have weighed in on a brewing controversy after three U.S. airlines accused state-owned foreign carriers of creating unfair competition in taking billions in government subsidies and urged federal officials to investigate, letters obtained by the Houston Chronicle show.
In January, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines accused state-owned airlines Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline of benefiting from $42 billion in subsidies and benefits from their respective governments over the last decade. Open Skies agreements between the United States and other countries allow U.S. airlines to fly to international cities and vice versa, and the airlines have claimed the government funding gives their competitors an unfair advantage.”