Representative Cecil Bell, Jr. 

Committees: District 3 

Appropriations 

Appropriations- SIC on Articles VI, VII, & VIII 

Land & Resource Management 

Rules & Resolutions 

May 20,2015 

The Honorable Anthony R. F oxx 

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 Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20230 

Dear Secretary Foxx, Secretary Kerry, and Secretary Pritzker: 

I am writing to urge you to take action against the market-distorting practices of the governments 

of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that are in direct violation ofthe Open Skies 

agreements these nations entered into with the United States. We must address this issue and 

open consultations with the Gulf States to restore fair competition to our skies. 

Qatar and the UAE have subsidized three state-owned airlines with over $40 billion in interest 

free loans, infrastructure enhancement and other unfair benefits for over a decade, which has 

enabled these air carriers to purchase more airplanes, offer lower fares than their competitors, 

and add additional routes. 

P.O. Box 2910 • Austin, Texas 78768-2910 • phone (512) 463-0650 • fox (512) 463-0575 • cecil.bell@house.stote.tx.us 

Serving Montgomery and Waller Counties 
Representative Cecil Bell, Jr. 

Committees: District 3 

Appropriations 

Appropriations- SIC on Articles VI, VII, & VIII 

Land & Resource Management 

Rules & Resolutions 

As a member of the Texas Legislature serving on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on 

Articles VI, VII, & VIII, which oversees natural resources, business and economic development, 

and regulatory agencies, I am acutely aware of the issues that surround commerce and economic 

development. 

Small businesses that surround airports depend on continued passenger traffic to fill up hotels, 

restaurants and tourist attractions, as well as on flight frequency to connect their businesses with 

the national and global economy. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport, United Airlines 

alone carries 16.6 million passengers annually. 

Open Skies agreements have benefitted Texas and the U.S. economy overall, which is why we 

should commit to restoring fair competition in the airline industry. Please initiate consultations 

with Qatar and the UAE on this matter and request a freeze on new capacity from the Gulf 

carriers to the U.S. while the consultations go forward. 

I appreciate your aid in protecting the vitality of the U.S. airline industry that affects so many 

aspects of our communities. 

Sincerely, 

Cecil Bell, Jr. 

cc: Senator John Comyn 

Senator Ted Cruz 

Congressman Brian Babin 

Congressman Kevin Brady 

Congressman John Culberson 

Congressman Blake Farenthold 

Congressswoman Sheila Jackson Lee 

Congressman Michael McCaul 

Congressman Pete Olson 

Congressman Randy Weber 

P.O. Box 2910 • Austin, Texas 78768-2910 • phone (512) 463-0650 • fax (512) 463-0575 • cecil.bell@house.state.tx.us 

Serving Montgomery and Waller Counties