### 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 , C ITY 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 t he government-subsidized, state-owned-airl ines 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 subsid ies and other unfa ir 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 ofthe highest quality forpresent and future generations. 

# s 10- 150505-028If 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 10-150505-028

### 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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