For more than a decade, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have used massive state subsidies to predatorily expand the international networks of their state-owned airlines- in direct and flagrant violation of the agreements allowing them to fly into countries like the United States in the first place.
One year ago, both Qatar and the UAE agreed to greater financial transparency, an end to their illegal subsidy practices & market distorting tactics, and a freeze on new routes into the United States until the subsidy issue had been resolved.
Has that happened? NO.
Qatar Airways quickly invested in failing Italian regional carrier Meridiana, rebranded it as Air Italy, and announced the launch of service to the US via Italy. Six North American gateways have been announced in the past year alone. They will be operated on Qatar Airways owned airplanes until the almost FIFTY long haul aircraft Air Italy has ordered since Qatar Airways’ investment are delivered. And both Qatar Airways and Emirates have announced increased frequency/ larger aircraft service on a number of routes between the US and their hubs while the US waits on documentation and increased transparency from both airlines- two things yet to be seen.
It is time for the Trump Administration to act. Join us in asking President Trump and the US Government to hold Qatar and the UAE accountable by signing our petition below.
50
BILLION IN SUBSIDIES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS
1,500
U.S. AVIATION JOBS LOST FOR EVERY ROUTE LOST OR FORGONE TO SUBSIDIZED COMPETITION
Recent Headlines
Qatar Airlines runs into turbulence in the US House
The Democrat who will head the House of Representatives committee that oversees aviation has lashed out at Qatar Airways for allegedly subsidising Air Italy and giving it an unfair advantage as the Italian carrier increases its routes to the US…. Read More.
Ed Bastian op-ed: Air Italy’s mysterious benefactor
How Qatari state subsidies flow to an obscure Italian airline, circumventing a key agreement with the U.S. and putting thousands of American jobs at risk. A Deutsche Bank airline analyst asked a question recently: “Who is funding Air Italy’s losses?” In a Dec. 7 report, the firm noted the obscure Italian carrier produced a negative
Newt Gingrich: Left unchecked, China will cheat American industries and workers — Just look at what Qatar has done
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