CITY OF TYLER Tyler Pounds Regional Airport 700 Skyway Blvd., Suite 201 Tyler, TX 75704

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx Secretary ofTransportation US Department ofTransportation 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: Ph : (903) 531-9825 Fax: (903) 531-9843 www.tylerairport.com TYLER POUNDS III!OIOHAL AIIIPOIIT

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, as well as a number of airline unions, 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**subsic~ies,** these carriers have expanded 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 Tyler, Texas and across the country. The state-owned Gulf airlines - Qatar Airways , Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlinehave collectively received large 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. However, these tactics by the Gulf airlines and their state sponsors have created an un-level playing field . The tens of billions of dollars in subsidies are distorting the free market framework established by Open Skies and they will ultimately have a negative economic impact here in the United States if we allow them to continue. The heavily subsidized competition by the Gulf carriers is contributing to excess capacity, which draws passengers and revenue from U.S. airlines. Citizens of Tyler, Texas will ultimately feel the impacts ofthese issues if they are not addressed now.

DAVIS DICKSON Airport Manager

• • I I I.) • I • - I II S 1U-15U4l9-UOH DREW DANIELSON Operations Supervisor ddanielson@tylertexas.com CHERYL MCINNIS Administrative Assistant cmcinnis@tylertexas.com JULIAWOODARD Administrative Assistant jwoodard@tylertexas.comThese unfair benefits mean American job losses . Every international roundtrip flight that is lost results in an average net loss of 821 good U.S. jobs . Employees ofthe U.S airlines 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 East Texas as well . Please help to keep all Open Skies agreements open and fair by addressing the subsidies that are being provided to these three carriers . Respectfully,

cc: Senator John Cornyn Senator Ted Cruz Representative Louie Gohmert



# s 10-150429-008 Ed Broussard Davis Dickson City Manager, City ofTyler Airport Manager, City ofTyler