Qatar Airways CEO sees no need for concessions to U.S. airlines

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

MIAMI (Reuters) - Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker said on Monday he saw no reason for Middle Eastern governments to propose any changes to transportation policy in response to U.S. airlines that allege unfair competition from Gulf carriers.

"Why should my government make any concession?" he said in an interview at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual meeting in Miami. "There is an agreement signed by two mature governments. And those agreements are being implemented."

U.S. airlines are trying to persuade the United States to alter "Open Skies" agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, accusing them of giving their airlines more than $40 billion in subsidies and distorting competition. Emirates [EMIRA.UL], Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways deny the subsidy claims.

Al Baker said Qatar Airways expects to deliver its rebuttal to the U.S. airlines' claims in the next few weeks. The three Gulf carriers are not coordinating their replies, he added, and he does not see any scope for negotiation.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/qatar-airways-ceo-sees-no-concessions-u-airlines-002612614--finance.html

[kwassa]

1. but they have such a good soccer team!