Articles tagged “open skies”

We're waiting for people to come to Anderson's support. So far it's been quiet, but it won't be for long.

It's not likely the U.S. carriers will win this round. In addition to challenges from the Gulf, they are dealing with Norwegian Air's low-cost challenges for trans-Atlantic service. While not all Americans love the Gulf carriers, they do love an airline bargain.

Delta's CEO chose to hide behind 9/11 and all the paranoia around the word "Arab" than make a compelling argument or prove his case.

There's an argument to be had here about state aid for airlines, but this isn't it. You know you're losing the debate when you try to link your opponent to 9/11.

"I’m all for American carriers succeeding. But they need to look past the short-term thinking and understand the world is about to get even more global, even more competitive and shaving dollars quarter to quarter isn’t going to save them."

This has ballooned beyond a dispute over the Open Skies application of a relatively small carrier (Norwegian Air International) to an existential debate of the free market future for the global aviation industry. Decisions made now will have lasting repercussions.

Ensuring adequate competition in airports large and small gives those airports more negotiating power against the big three national carriers, and could ensure adequate infrastructure for more visitors from abroad to spend their travel dollars in the US. This last is, after all, the mandate of organizations like the US Travel Association.