Can US airlines compete with government-subsidized Gulf state airlines?

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

WASHINGTON, DC – “We cannot allow air carriers based in certain Gulf states to collect billions in subsidies from their home governments to undercut US aviation and our country’s vital standards for

WASHINGTON, DC – “We cannot allow air carriers based in certain Gulf states to collect billions in subsidies from their home governments to undercut US aviation and our country’s vital standards for workers’ rights. We welcome and encourage competition, but these massive subsidies distort the world market and tilt the playing field so drastically against us, we have no choice but to come together to defend our jobs,” said the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) International President Sara Nelson.

Based on that, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today announced the union has joined the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies and its efforts to ensure US-based airlines are allowed to compete on a level global playing field.

“The aviation industry was born in the United States, and we are proud to be a part of the safest, most efficient aviation system in the world,” Nelson added.

The Partnership for Open and Fair Skies – composed of the leadership of the three largest US-based international carriers and union representatives from AFA, the Air Line Pilots Association, the Allied Pilots Association, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, and the Communications Workers of America – is asking the United States government to meet with representatives of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to begin addressing concerns over government subsidization of their national airlines.

“Through our work, including the push to deny Norwegian Air International’s attempt to circumvent U.S. law and fly here in planes staffed by third-party outsourced crews to the effort to stop Congress from granting Fast Track Authority for secret deals. AFA has been outspoken on international issues affecting Flight Attendants,” Nelson said. “We are proud to join US aviation workers and other stakeholders in the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies.”

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Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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