Washington, D.C. (August 18, 2015) – The results are in: Nearly three out of four comments submitted to the U.S. government docket urged the Obama Administration to request consultations with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to address the unfair airline subsidies and other benefits provided to the Gulf carriers.

While the public docket officially closed on August 3rd, the U.S. government continued posting comments, expanding the chorus of voices calling for action from two thirds to nearly three quarters of the 4,000 comments published to date. The comments submitted to the U.S. Departments of Transportation, State and Commerce came from a diverse array of stakeholders including ground crews, labor leaders, pilots, flight attendants, mayors, governors, prominent aviation economists, business leaders, and members of Congress, among others.

“The docket shows that without a doubt the Obama Administration must take fast action to address the more than $42 billion in unprecedented subsidies that are keeping the Gulf airlines afloat and harming American aviation jobs,” said Jill Zuckman, chief spokesperson for the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies. “An overwhelming majority has called on the U.S. government to stand up and enforce our trade agreements. The Obama Administration must protect U.S. workers who are being harmed by the Gulf carriers before it is too late.”