NORTH TEXAS 

# amooa
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE"' May 

### 7, 2015 Han. Anthony R. Foxx Secretary ofTransportation US Department ofTransportation 

### 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington, DC 

### 20590
Re: Open Skies Partnership 3824 Cedar Springs Rood, Box 429 1 Da llas
. T X 7 5219 1 2 14-821-4528

Han. John F. Kerry Secretary of State US Department of State 

### 2201 CStreet NW Washington, DC 

### 20520 Han. Penny Pritzker US Department of Commerce 

### 1401 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 

### 20230

Dear Secretary Foxx, Secretary Kerry and Secretary Pritzker: I write to express my deep concern over the reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar are unfairly providing financial support to Eithad, Qatar and Emirates Airlines. It is being asserted that the Middle East airlines have benefited from over

### $42 billion in governmental subsidies and unfair benefits over the last ten years. We are told that they used these subsidies to purchase new planes, offer below marketvalue airfares, and add countless new routes. Ifthis is true, this practice has created (and continues to further) an unfair and unleveled playing field for carriers not receiving the same cost subsidies, namely Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines. It is this Chamber's beliefthat these accusations should be investigated to determine their veracity
. If it is found that these allegations are true, then the U.S. government needs to take the steps necessary to ensure a level playing field for its airlines. In addition to the alleged subsidies creating an unfair marketplace, the UAE and Qatar- along with their airlines- have an atrocious record on human rights. They have discriminatory practices against both women and the GLBT community. An openly gay person will not be hired. Emirates Airline even requires their female employees to get permission before making the very personal decision to start a family. Ifthese allegations against the UAE and Qatar airlines are true, the United States cannot sit idly by and allow Qatarand the UAE to violate their agreements with the U.S. Today, I am respectfully requesting that you stand up for what is right forthe people ofTexas and the United States of America by opening up investigations on the alleged subsidies. We cannot turn a blind eye while sought afterjobs from the United States are being moved overseas due to the unfair practices of other countries.

# ~~___)_ Tony Vedda, 10M, CCE CEO 

### & President tony.vedda@glbtchamber.org 

### 214-865-6516 

# s 10-150511-019 W'W'W**G~BTCilo'"'1ocr** org

## 510-150511-019 NORTH TEXAS 

# amooo TONY VEDDA, 

### I OM, CCE CHAMBER O F COMMERCE '" Pres1denr & CEO Tony.Veddo@GLBTChomber.org 4 I 23 Cedar Sa••ngs Rooo Su11e 1206 3824 Cedo• Sprongs Rood Box 429 Dallas, !exes 752' 0

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### 1200 NeW 1erse'{ Ave SE washington, oc 

### 20590