May 7, 2015 

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<;: 20230 

Dear Secretary Kerry, Secretary Fo""-x and Secretary Pritzker: 

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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 

principles set forth in these Open Skies agreements. 

According to a recent report by 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 of many 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. 

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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 of Detroit 

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MAYOR'S OFFICE 

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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 

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05 12/2015 

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US POSTAGE 

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