# MICHIGAN CHAMBER of Commerce April 27, 2015 The Honorable Anthony
R. Foxx Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington,
DC 20590 The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary of State 2201 C Street NW Washington,
DC 20520 Dear Mr. Kerry and Mr. Foxx:

600 South Wa lnu
t Street



### I L ansing, Michig

a n 48933-2200 m i c h amber.com

I 800

- 748
- 0266 to ll- free As President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce,

I lead and represent nearly 6,800 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce

in all of Michigan's counties. Our members alone are responsible for 1.5 million jobs in the state. Every day we work to facilitate the competitive economic climate that businesses look for when they're looking to open or to expand. Unfortunately, last month we learned that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are massively subsidizing their state-owned airlines, severely undercutting their American competitors, and violating long-standing Open Skies agreements.

In the last decade, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline have received over $40 billion in subsidies, grants, equity infusions and interest-free loans, among other unfair benefits. Such subsidies have eliminated market-based competition and have distorted the market
in their favor. American air carriers simply cannot keep up with their rapid expansion, especially since so many of the Gulf carriers' new routes are not profitable and flights are less than half full. The commercial airline industry

is a vital part of Michigan's economy, with an estimated economic impact of $17.6 billion in the state. The Capital Region International Airport
in Lansing has an economic impact of $1 billion and is an important asset to the community

. The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
is a hub of one of the big three American airlines

: Delta Air Lines. Alone, Delta is responsible for 7,500 jobs at DTW, 10,000 jobs across the state and generates $210 million
in annual tax revenue for Michigan just from their activity at DTW. Michiganders depend on a robust airline industry for their livelihood and cannot afford for Qatar and the UAE to continue to undercut competitors with their unfair business practices. Michigan businesses become less competitive

if our airlines are forced to cut back flights and we will all lose if jobs are cut

. Leading Businesses

. Moving Michigan 

### Forward

.MICHIGAN CHAMBER of Commerce

600 Sou

[ h Walnu[ Suee[

I L ansing, Michigan 48933-2200 michamb er.co m
I 800

- 748
- 0266 wll
- free The actions of Qatar and the UAE not only stunt economic growth
in Michigan and across the United States, they are also in violation of the Open Skies policies
in place between the three countries

. If they are allowed to cont

i nue, American jobs, the American airline industry and American communities are threatened. That is why

I am respectfully asking that you intervene and ask that Secretary Foxx and Secretary Kerry my request

is that you open consultations with Qatar and the UAE as a measure to restore fair, market-based competition

. Sincerely, Richard
K . Studley, President

& CEO Mich

i gan Chamber of Commerce

Le a ding Busines se s . Moving Michigan Forward

.