US travel group cautions against changes in Open Skies agreements with the UAE and Qatar

America’s three largest airlines — United, Delta and American Airlines — have accused their Gulf competitors of benefitting from huge state subsidies, and engaging in unfair fare pricing. (AFP)

DUBAI: A US travel group has cautioned against making changes in the Open Skies agreements with the UAE and Qatar, claiming the pacts have resulted into jobs and income to country.
“The US government’s Open Skies agreements— particularly those with the UAE and Qatar— create jobs across industry sectors and provide actual jobs for workers in real places,” Roger Dow, the US Travel Association president and chief executive, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The group, together with some passenger and cargo airlines, met with Rex Tillerson, the US Department of State, to express their support of the aviation agreements with the Gulf states.
“American jobs are created when new service is added and new visitors arrive, not hypothetical losses based in hype. To date, there’s been no demonstration of actual harm to US employment related to these new routes,” Dow said.
“These policies further enable air service that connects America to underserved regions of the world where practically no competition exists. America should grow its market share of inbound travel from those willing to provide it.”
America’s three largest airlines — United, Delta and American Airlines — have accused their Gulf competitors of benefitting from huge state subsidies and engaging in unfair fare pricing. The three Gulf airlines have denied the accusations.
Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad last year released a commissioned report arguing its contribution to the US economy, including all its aligned businesses, was nearly $11 billion annually.
“There are simply too many jobs and stakeholders, let alone retaliatory risk, that could be jeopardized by reopening Open Skies. We urge the administration to maintain the agreements that have brought jobs and revenue to America,” Dow said.
They’ve connected us to global markets with the potential to grow our exports and maintain a positive travel trade balance that’s bolstered the economy for years.”