US airline CEOs ask to meet with Tillerson on Gulf carriers

by Dramelin 5:30 AM 0 comments

The CEOs of the three largest U.S. airlines have asked to meet with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to discuss allegations that Gulf states are unfairly subsidizing state-owned carriers, driving down prices and crowding out competition on key routes, accusations those carriers deny. "The Gulf carriers have received over $50 billion in documented subsidies from their government owners since 2004," the airlines contend to Tillerson, who was sworn in as secretary of state that same day. Duties of the U.S. secretary of state, the nation`s top diplomat, include facilitating economic discourse between the United States and other countries. Open Skies agreements reduce restrictions on flying to and from partner states. Chief Executive James Hogan of Etihad Aviation Group, which flies to six cities in the United States, on Wednesday said the Gulf carriers will have to wait and see if Trump reopens the Open Skies debate.