Huffington Post: Access to the Airways Threatened by Gulf Carriers
"U.S. airports and the communities they serve are in danger. Right this minute Gulf carriers - Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates - backed by billions in interest-free loans and equity infusions from the Qatar and United Arab Emirates governments are attempting to choke the U.S. airline industry out of business. Over $42 billion has been infused into the Gulf carriers in the past decade. This is a direct violation of the Open Skies agreements that are intended to keep the global market competitive.
U.S. airports and the communities they serve are in danger. Right this minute Gulf carriers - Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates - backed by billions in interest-free loans and equity infusions from the Qatar and United Arab Emirates governments are attempting to choke the U.S. airline industry out of business. Over $42 billion has been infused into the Gulf carriers in the past decade. This is a direct violation of the Open Skies agreements that are intended to keep the global market competitive. Without a level playing field for U.S. airlines to compete in the global market, our domestic service is in jeopardy. Hundreds of thousands of flights arrive and depart at the great hubs of the American skyways each year. But, while airports like O'Hare, Atlanta, and LAX routinely make the news for the sheer volume of passengers checking in and taking off, they are just one part of our air travel system.
People living in smaller cities, like Baton Rouge, Austin and Dayton, also need to be connected by aviation for business, transport of goods and the ability to visit family and friends. Flight Attendants working flights to and from these communities know the crucial role they play in joining millions of people to our vast network of routes."