U.S. Travel Association Again Takes Side of Gulf Carriers in Open Skies Debate
Skift Take
The U.S. Travel Association looks at the Open Skies issue from the standpoint of inbound tourism while Delta, United, American and their unions view it from the perspective of their companies and unions. They come to diametrically opposing positions.
Citing competition and economic concerns, the U.S. Travel Association, which isn't renowned for picking a fight, came out strongly against the efforts of Delta, United and American airlines and their unions to the restrict activities of the Gulf carriers in the U.S.
In his "Response to Airline Unions on Open Skies," U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow stated: "We wish we did not have to stand apart from our friends in the airline industry on this or any other issue. But with their efforts to reduce competition in the aviation marketplace having become so aggressive -- and the negative impact of these policies upon consumers so abundantly clear -- we simply cannot sit idly by."
Dow's comments grew out of a meeting that the U.S. Travel Association conducted March 19 on the Open Skies issue, which has the three U.S. airlines and their unions pointing to allegedly unfair competition from Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar airlines because of $42 billion in governmental or quasi-governmental subsidies.
This is the second time USTA has spoken out in opposition of the U.S. airlines' Open Skies moves. In February, Roger Dow said, "to abrogate Open Skies would fly in the face of competition and consumer choice, and ultimately harm demand for travel to the U.S."
Today Dow said, "We are heartened and relieved to hear that airline unions share our priorities: U.S. economic growth and job creation. We wish that choice and comfo
