The pressure exerted on the Obama administration, reportedly by three major US carriers - American, Delta, and United - to renegotiate open skies treaties with the two home countries of three major GCC carriers, does not go well the United States proclaimed policy of open skies around the world.
Data indicate the United States has signed more than 100 open sky treaties since 1992 and gained significantly by growing traffic, increasing revenues and creation of thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly.
United, Delta and American airlines claim that Emirates and Etihad, both based in the UAE, and Qatar Airways receive billions of dollars in subsidies from their respective governments.
This leads to unfair competition, they argue. The three Gulf airlines, however, have denied such accusations and branded them baseless.
The first one to dismiss such accusations was Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker, who said they (US carriers) needed to understand the difference between government subsidies and government equity.
It seems as if these US carriers are increasingly becoming nervous about the fast-growing airlines in the Middle East, the three Gulf carriers in particular.
The GCC region’s aviation industry has had a phenomenal growth in the last three to four decades, thanks to economic boom, investible surplus and a growing population.
Obviously, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have capitalised on these and grown amid stiff competition from bigger airlines based in the US or Europe.
The growth of these three Gulf airlines has a direct beneficiary in the US – the Chicago-based plane maker – Boeing. Along with its European rival, Airbus, Boeing has filled its order book with commitments from Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. It is no secret that the substantial orders placed by the Gulf carriers has helped Boeing maintain growth and employ thousands of people across the US.
United, Delta and American Airlines are among the largest carriers in the world. They were all founded in the 1920s by aviation pioneers and were instrumental in shaping up the global aviation industry.
They also benefit from a highly developed and technologically superior market that has a wealth of skilled manpower — mechanics, engineers, and pilots. The sheer size of the North American market provides tempting opportunities for growth, both domestically and internationally.
Why  are then the US carriers becoming so upset with the three airlines based in the GCC? If it is on account of falling passenger numbers and a drop in market share, the answer is simple. Go back to the basics - provide easy connections, reasonable fares and desirable service.
From a passenger point of view, the Gulf carriers are good. US passengers will acknowledge that with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways flying non-stop to many key North American cities, travelling has indeed become easier across the Atlantic.
The number of places one can fly via Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi is fabulous. And the fares are often very competitive. So passengers will automatically patronise such airlines.
In a fast-changing global order, governments and airlines will do well to recognise that resting on the laurels of past glory will not take anyone anywhere. Airlines must compete based on passenger service and amenities. Every airline has the right to grow, regardless of whether one is based in the west or the east.



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