May 7, 2015

The Honorable Anthony R.. Foxx Secretary ofTransportation US Department ofTransportation 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<;: 20230 Dear Secretary Kerry, Secretary Fo""-x and Secretary Pritzker:**I. ~I** **"** A. YOL ' :\G 1\ IL':\IC'II' · \L CE:-:T E R**~** WO OD\ \'\ I<!) A \ ' L

.. Sl'IT E II**6** DI : IR O IT. MI C III G \\! 4822 6**PII O~** **E** 313 •n-l•3-WO F, " 3 1.:' • 22-l• -+12 8 \\ 1\ 1\
. I>F I KO I r\ II .GO\

As Mayor of Detroit and a strong advocate for economic development in my city, I know firsthand the innumerable benefits that Open Skies policies have brought not just to Detroit, but to the entire country. Since their unveiling in 1992, the Open Skies agreements have provided enhanced airline service to the public and open and fair competition between airline carriers operating internationally. I'm confident that strong Open Skies agreements have been integral to the $17.6 billion in economic activity that the commercial airline industry has brought to our state, which is why it is so important that we uphold and adhere to the guiding principle s set forth in these Open Skies agreements . According to a recent report b y the Partnership for Open and Fair Skies, Qatar and the UAE have broken some of the rules outlined in their respective Open Skies agreements . By giving over 40 billion dollars' worth of subsidies and other benefits to their three government owned airlines

- Qatar Airways, Et:i.had Airways and Emirates Airline - the Gulf states have disrupted the once-balanced aviation marketplace and tipped the scales in their favor. Tllis uneven playing field makes it difficult for U.S
. carriers to compete and could drive them out ofmany international routes and cost us jobs. In Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, there are more than 7,500 Delta jobs and 10,000 jobs including Delta carrier connections throughout the state. In Detroit alone there are 550 Delta jobs. Delta's hub has been a force for job creation and economic growth in the region. We should do our part to uphold the open and free market principles that have guided the growth of DTW and the US airline industry. It will ultimately be good for jobs and good for Detroit. In fact, airline industry C..'\."Perts estimate that every international

### j1ight lost by a U.S. airline results in a net loss of 

### 821 well-paying American jobs, not just in aviation , but in the many industries that support U.S. travel.



### 510-150520 - 014 M IC II - \E I E. D L'G (; \ :-\. M \) O R**oi.E ~I.~~**  A

. Y o u :--:G M u:--: J c H'A L**Cl R**  2 WooDWA RD Av E
.. SL"IT E 11 26 D ET R O IT. M I C III G

. \:>; 48226**Pll ~E**  3 1 3 • 224 • 3-100 r AX 3 1 3•2 24 •412 8 \1 "

\\"\\'
. OE TR O inii. G O\ '
Please join me and support the thousands of workers who depend on a healthy aviation industry. In order to address this situation, I am requesting that the U.S. government open consultations with Qatar and the UAE, as provided in the Open Skies agreements. While these negotiations go forward, the government should also hit the pause button on new capacity from the Gulf carriers to U.S. markets. Sincerely, 

# iYus!.'" 4- Mayor City ofDetroit



# s 10-150520-014 M I C H ,\ E L E

. D L "GGA :-.:. M A YOR

# s 10-150520-0 14 CITY OF D ETRO I T MAYOR'S OFFICE 2 wooDWARD AvE., SU I TE 11 26 DETROIT. MICHIGAN 48226

The Honorable Anthony R Foxx Secretary of Transportation US Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington , DC 20590



### 03 CAI-LMS 20590

## $00.43~ 05 12/2015 Ma ed F1om 48226 US POSTAGE 

# \ I 

# \