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 Unite d 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. Important ly, 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 thos e 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 co llectively 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 pre dicated 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 COOPERTo: 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 pl aying 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 t hat 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 eno rmous 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