May 26, 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

Dear Secretaries Foxx and Kerry,

In recent weeks, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, as well as 

the unions representing their combined 250,000 employees, announced a 

partnership to encourage the United States government to level the playing field 

for fair competition with the government-subsidized, state-owned airlines of 

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Fueled by massive subsidies, these 

governments’ carriers have been expanding at a rapid pace in order to divert 

traffic through their own hubs. This subsidized expansion is distorting the 

international aviation marketplace. Importantly, this unfair competition is 

threatening the airline service and jobs in Hallandale Beach, FL and across the 

country. 

I am reaching out to ask that the U.S. government open consultations with these 

governments to address the massive subsidies that those nations provide their 

state-owned airlines. I also believe the U.S. government should seek a freeze on 

the introduction of new passenger service by the Gulf carriers during these 

consultations. I am not advocating to end the air service to the U.S. by the 

Middle East carriers, but it is my belief that it’s the government’s role to ensure 

that our airlines are competing on the same terms as any foreign carrier. 

The state-owned Gulf airlines – Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates 

Airline – have collectively received at least $42 billion dollars in government 

subsidies and other unfair benefits over the last ten years. These subsidies are in 

direct contradiction to existing Open Skies agreements we have in place with 

Qatar and the UAE, which are predicated on fair competition, undistorted by 

government actions, including subsidies. 

400 S. Federal Highway

Hallandale Beach, FL 33009

Ph (954) 457-1318

Fax (954) 457-1454

MAYOR

JOY COOPER
To: Secretaries Foxx and Kerry

Re: Open and Fair Skies Page 2

Open Skies policies have allowed for greater access and growth of the aviation industry in the 

United States, to the benefit of U.S. travelers and the U.S. economy, but these tactics by the 

Gulf airlines and their state sponsors have created an un-level playing field. If we allow this to 

continue, citizens of Hallandale Beach will ultimately lose out. 

If nothing is done, U.S. airlines will be pushed off of international routes and lose market share 

to the government-owned Gulf airlines, it will result in American job losses and service cuts. 

Every international roundtrip flight that disappears results in an average net loss of 821 good 

U.S. jobs – think of all the pilots, flight attendants, maintenance workers, baggage crew, 

ticketing agents, and others that are involved in a single overseas route. They and others 

whose livelihoods depend on a healthy U.S. airline industry are the people who have the most 

to lose if this issue is not addressed. 

Because these Gulf carriers are highly subsidized they have grown at astounding rates, rapidly 

expanding their fleets and routes, untethered to commercial realities (such as profits and a 

living wage.) If we stand by and allow these questionable practices to continue, the service to 

small and mid-sized communities like ours will suffer as our domestic airlines are forced to 

curtail flights. 

U.S. Open Skies policy has served the citizens of the City of Hallandale Beach well. Please help 

to keep all Open Skies agreements truly open, and fair, by addressing the enormous 

government subsidies that are being provided to these three carriers and seeking a freeze on 

additional service until these subsidies are addressed. 

Sincerely, 

Joy Cooper

Mayor

cc: Senator Bill Nelson

 Senator Marco Rubio

Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz