Norm Archibald 

Mayor 

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, 

CITY OF ABILENE 

• .. • .. :. • J 

Earlier this month, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, as well as the largest 

unions in the airline industry, announced a partnership to encourage the U.S. 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 routes and jobs that we depend on 

in Abilene and across the country. 

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. The economic development strategies that their governments are 

pursuing through subsidization contradict Open Skies policy, which is predicated on fair 

competition, undistorted by government actions, including subsidies. 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 Abilene 

will ultimately lose out. 

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 pro~ts) .. If ~e 

stand by and allow this unfair competition to continue, the service to small and mrd-sr~ed. 

communities that we depend on will suffer as our dom~stic airlines·are forced to cu.rtarl flights. 

P.O. BOX 60 · 555 WALNUT STREET · ABILENE, TEXAS 79604 - 325/676-6205 

we work together to build a community of the highest quality for present and future generations. 

s 10-150505-028 
If our U.S. airlines are pushed off of international routes and lose market share to the 

government-owned Gulf airlines, it will mean American job losses. Every international roundtrip 

flight that is lost to 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. 

U.S. Open Skies policy has served the citizens of Abilene well. Please help to keep all Open 

Skies agreements open and fair by addressing the subsidies that are being provided to these 

three carriers. 

Sincerely, 

Norm Archibald 

Mayor 

cc: Senator John Cornyn 

Senator Ted Cruz 

Congressman Randy Neugebauer 

s 1 0-150505-028 
0/t 

CITY OF ABILENE 

Mayor's Office 

P.O. Box 60 

Abilene, TX 79604·0060 

s 10-150505-028 

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx 

Secretary of Transportation 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

US POSTAGE»PITNEY BOWES 

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