U.S. plans Qatar, UAE talks on airline subsidies
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U.S. and Gulf airlines representatives met at the U.S. State Department with administration officials to discuss the status of the government’s review of complaints about subsidies. A State Department official said there would be no announcement after the meeting, but officials plan new talks with Gulf states starting this week.
Heads of the three largest U.S. passenger carriers - American Airlines Group, United Continental Holdings and Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) - have urged the Trump administration to challenge the conduct of three major Middle Eastern carriers under “Open Skies” agreements signed in the early 2000s.
The U.S. airlines contend the Gulf carriers are being unfairly subsidized by their governments.
The airlines, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates, have denied those accusations. The Gulf airlines operate around 200 flights per week to 12 U.S. cities. ■