Qatar presents White Paper to US over unfair subsidy allegations

For some time now the ‘Big Three’ US airlines, American, Delta and United (and their unions), have been complaining over what they perceived were unfair financial subsidies for Gulf carriers, affording them an advantageous position with regard to the ‘Open Skies’ agreement between the Gulf states and the US.
Now Qatar Airways have formally refuted a number of allegations leveled at them among others. In the paper Qatar Airways have shown that many of the market changes that have upset the Big Three are not the product of “unfair competition” but are purely bi-products of important advances in aircraft technology as well as a number of significant demographic changes. With ultra-long range aircraft such as the B777 and B787, those passengers heading to India and the Middle East are now able to bypass overly-busy European hubs, and thus benefit from a one-stop journey to their destination.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, has said that “Qatar Airways was a relatively unknown airline when it first launched a service to the United States in 2007.
“Since then, we have built up a significant brand presence on the routes that we operate to the United States. Our passengers have come to know us, not through size alone, but by the signature service and quality of the product on board – and also the breadth of our network.
“There has been significant demand for our services from the U.S. not just to the Middle East – but beyond – where no other carriers fly. This makes us a natural choice for consumers, and is a reflection of how globalised our world has become. People are travelling further than ever before and it is important that in an economy focused on open market principles, our wings remain open for business, rather than closed.”
Though unafraid of competition, Qatar Airways has expressed concern over actions of the Big Three and their efforts to try and persuade the US Government to refer to rules that are inapplicable to aviation to resolve their grievances. The application of US domestic trade laws as well as WTO trade principles to these grievances – ones which apply solely to trade in goods – would be wholly unlawful.
“It is puzzling to see the biggest US carriers describe Qatar Airways as a “threat,” given our small size and lack of direct competition with them. Their long-standing focus on other markets, and large (and growing) profits completely undercut this claim. The Open Skies model was developed by the American carriers and has demonstrated how an Open Skies paves the way for an open economy. We are concerned to see the Big 3 seek to change the rules of the game as soon as they see US consumers respond well to the services offered by a competitor. Qatar Airways is proud of its signature five-star service, brand identity, and the high standards we deliver to our passengers onboard,” Mr. Akbar Al Baker added.