6917 Vista Parkway North, Suit e 1 • West Palm Beach, Florida 33411

Phone: 561.689.9787 • Fax: 561.828.0440 •Info@JeriMuoio.com • www.JeriMuoio.com

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx

Secretary of Transportation

US Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave SE

Washington, DC 20590

The Honorable John F. Kerry

Secretary of State

US Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

The Honorable Penny Pritzker

Secretary of Commerce

US Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Secretary Kerry, Secretary Pritzker, and Secretary Foxx,

I am writing to bring your attention to developments in the aviation industry that threaten thousands 

of American jobs and air travel across the country. As Mayor of West Palm Beach, a city with a large 

tourism industry, I am especially concerned and hope you will take decisive action and stand up for the 

many thousands of U.S. businesses, communities and families that depend on a healthy aviation 

industry.

Over the past decade, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – both signatories to Open Skies 

agreements, which liberalized access to U.S. and international markets, while also mandating free and 

fair competition between airlines – have funneled at least $42 billion into their state-owned airlines. 

This unprecedented level of financial support, coming in the form of interest-free loans, massive 

subsidies, land grants and other unfair benefits, was given in direct violation of the bilateral Open Skies 

agreements signed between the U.S. and the two Gulf States.

The aid from Qatar and the UAE has given their airlines - Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates 

Airline – a massive advantage over their U.S-based competitors in the lucrative international market. 

U.S. carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have been steadily edged out of 

an increasing amount of international routes. If this continues, American carriers will be forced to shut 

down more and more flights, both foreign and domestic, leading to less service for small and mid-sized 
6917 Vista Parkway North, Suit e 1 • West Palm Beach, Florida 33411

Phone: 561.689.9787 • Fax: 561.828.0440 •Info@JeriMuoio.com • www.JeriMuoio.com

communities as well as the disappearance of thousands of high quality U.S. jobs (approximately 821 

per international roundtrip flight lost). 

The Gulf carriers have argued that their expanded service into the U.S. and international markets has 

increased overall passenger traffic, providing benefits to airlines and consumers alike. However, a 

recent report by leading economic consulting firm, Compass Lexecon, has definitively shown this claim 

to be false. According to the report, traffic in and out of airports serviced by the Gulf airlines has not 

increased by any meaningful degree since they began flying there. This proves that the Gulf carriers 

are simply leveraging their unfair government subsidies to siphon passengers away from their 

competitors, while adding nothing to global aviation market in return.

This situation cannot and should not continue. Open Skies agreements contain a provision that allows 

either party to open consultations with the other to address any problems that could arise, and the 

U.S. should exercise this right. In addition to opening negotiations, the Federal government should 

also seek a freeze on the expansion of new capacity from the Gulf carriers while these consultations go 

forward.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jeri Muoio 

Mayor of West Palm Beach