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 

The Honorable Penny Pritzker 

US Department of Commerce 

1401 Constitution Ave., NW 

Washington, D.C. 20230 

Metro 

Atlanta ~ui hamber ~ 

April 27, 2015 

Dear Secretary Foxx, Secretary Kerry and Secretary Pritzker, 

I am writing to express my concern with the reported unfair practices of the governments of Qatar and 

the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

U.S. Open Skies policy was enacted to ensure that there is fair competition between airline carriers 

operating internationally. The $42 billion the three Gulf carriers, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad airlines, 

have received in subsidies and unfair benefits have eliminated fair competition and have distorted the 

mar'<et. The Gulf airlines have been able to expand at an incredible rate and divert passenger traffic 

avoJay from the U.S. airlines. These actions, if left unacj~ressed, will result in U.S. airlines curtailing 

domestic and international flights and laying off of employees. 

As home to the busiest airport in the world, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), we 

cannot afford to turn a blind eye in this situation. There is too much at stake for our state and its 

residents. Hartsfield is one of the key economic drivers in Georgia and has a direct economic impact of 

about $32.5 billion on the Atlanta metro area economy. In addition, Hartstleld serves as a hub to Delta 

Air Lines, who are the largest private employer in the state and employ more than 30,000 people in 

'· - Atlanta alone. · 

To remedy this issue. I ask you to initiate consultations with Qatar and the UAE and seek a freeze on 

new capacity from the Gu!f carriers to the U.S. while the consultations go forward. We need to restore 

open and fair skies so that the Atlanta Metro Area, and the rest of Georgia, can continue to thrive. 

__:;;;1?z PA rl 

(_ .,((.~ Moddelmog, Presi~ Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce 

!11 

s 10-150505-034 

ew Young International Blvd., NW I Atlanta. Ga. 30303 I 404.880.9000 I MetroAtlantaChamber.com 
cc: 

Senator Johnny Isakson 

Senator David Perdue 

Congressman Buddy Carter 

Congressman Sanford Bishop 

Congressman Lynn Westmoreland 

Congressman Hank Johnson 

Congressman John Lewis 

Congressman Tom Price 

Congressman Rob Woodall 

Congressman Austin Scott 

Congressman Doug Collins 

Congressman Jody Hice 

Congressman Barry Loudermilk 

Congressman Rick Allen 

Congressman David Scott 

Congressman Tom Graves 

Metro 

Atlanta "'~ hamber ~ 

235 Andrew Young International Blvd., NW I Atlanta, Ga. 30303 I 404.880.9000 I MetroAtlantaChamber.com 

s 1 0-150505-034 
Metro 

Atlanta iMt; 

hamber ~ 

,. 

Bringing the best together to help Atlanta thrive. 

lt~: ·1'1 ETRO 

1;;:A 301. 

2B ·APR '15 

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235 Andrew Young International Blvd .. NW I Atlanta. Georgia 30303 

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx 

Secretary of Transportation 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

016H26516044 

$00.48Q 

04/27/2015 

Mllill'!d From 30303 

US POSTAGE 

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