More than two dozen Chambers of Commerce, economic and trade organizations from across the country have written letters to the Administration and Congress expressing concern about the harm that state-owned Gulf airlines are inflicting on the U.S. economy.

The Gulf carriers – Qatar Airways, Etihad and Emirates – have received billions of dollars in subsidies and other unfair benefits from the governments of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These airlines are distorting the global aviation market, undercutting fair competition, and tilting the playing field against U.S. airlines. The stakes are high: every daily international roundtrip flight lost by U.S. airlines to the subsidized Gulf carriers means 821 U.S. jobs lost.

As a result, Chambers of Commerce and groups representing local economies and businesses from Queens to Los Angeles and Atlanta to Detroit are calling on the U.S. government to act.

“The massive subsidies given to the Gulf carriers by their governments undermine free and fair competition and violate Open Skies policy,” said Jill Zuckman, chief spokesperson for the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies. “The business owners, suppliers and employers in communities across the country understand the threat this issue poses to local economies and jobs. We welcome their support and echo their request for action.”

Recently, Emirates and Qatar Airways announced expanded service to Orlando and to Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, and in New York, respectively – yet another example of the Gulf carriers racing against the clock to dump more subsidized capacity in the market and divert passengers away from the U.S. airlines.

“The harm from these actions is real and immediate and that is why the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies reiterates its call for the U.S. government to seek a freeze on further expansion by these carriers and open government-to-government consultations to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible,” said Zuckman.

Supporters include the following organizations:

• New York State Business Council
• Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
• Detroit Regional Chamber
• Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
• Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches
• Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
• Lake Superior Community Partnership
• California Chamber of Commerce
• Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Chamber of Commerce
• Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
• Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
• North Texas Commission
• Texas Association of Business
• Illinois Chamber of Commerce
• Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• Queens Chamber of Commerce
• Minnesota Business Partnership
• Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce
• Western Economic Council
• Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Midway Chamber of Commerce
• Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce

The letters are available here.