May 14, 2018

ALPA Welcomes UAE Commitment to Fair Competition for U.S. Airlines

Test Will be Whether UAE Ends Subsidies, Increases Transparency, and Freezes Future Fifth Freedom Service to the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Capt. Tim Canoll, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement regarding the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) commitment to operate Emirates and Etihad Airways, its state-owned airlines, with transparency and in accordance with its U.S. Open Skies agreement.

“The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l applauds the Trump administration for taking important steps to bring the United Arab Emirates into compliance with the U.S. Air Transport Agreement and its requirement that our companies maintain a fair and equal opportunity to compete.

“The UAE has been violating this agreement by providing massive subsidies to Emirates and Etihad Airways, its state-owned airlines. The subsidies have allowed these foreign airlines to do business internationally with enormous economic advantages over U.S. airlines and regardless of the need to make a profit. As a result, U.S. airlines that follow the rules have competed at a severe disadvantage, and the jobs of hardworking U.S. airline employees have been at risk.

“The UAE has committed to a freeze on any additional fifth-freedom passenger flights to the United States. It has also pledged to employ international accounting, auditing, and disclosure standards. The agreement will also require Emirates and Etihad Airways to pay customary fees for the use of their airports. Such actions would represent a promising development. However, the UAE’s actions will serve as the true test of its commitment to fair competition. ALPA will closely watch how the UAE delivers on these commitments.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 60,000 pilots at 34 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

-###-

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org