Roll Call: Opinion – A Deal Is a Deal
“In recent weeks, it has become abundantly clear that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are in breach of their air service agreements with the U.S. and that the Obama administration must act swiftly to restore balance. These countries have unfairly subsidized three of their airlines — Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways — and have thus posed a direct threat to the economic security of our U.S. aviation industry and the 11 million jobs that it supports.
In recent weeks, it has become abundantly clear that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are in breach of their air service agreements with the U.S. and that the Obama administration must act swiftly to restore balance. These countries have unfairly subsidized three of their airlines — Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways — and have thus posed a direct threat to the economic security of our U.S. aviation industry and the 11 million jobs that it supports.Last week, the U.S. government opened a period for public comment in regards to the massive subsidies these Gulf airline carriers receive, and we are pleased the administration is taking this issue seriously. We urge members of Congress to also weigh in by joining our call for a level, competitive playing field for U.S. airlines and aviation workers and stopping these carriers from exploiting loopholes in our Open Skies agreements.”