# From the Desk of 

# Sylvia Moffett West Palm Beach City Commissioner

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx Secretary ofTransportation US Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave SE Washington, DC 20590 The Honorable John F. Kerry Secretary ofState li-S
-Department ofState 2201 CStreet NW Washington, DC 20520 The Honorable Penny Pritzker US DepartmentofCommerce 1401 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Secretaries Foxx, Kerry and Pritzker: It has recently come to my attention that U.S. based airlines are being put at an unfair disadvantage by state-owned carriers in the Persian Gulf region who are the beneficiaries of prohibited subsidies from theirown governments. According to published reports, QatarAirways, Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline have received more than $40 billion in government subsidies, free handouts and other unfair benefits. As you are well aware, these subsidies are contrary to Open Skies Policy that have governed the international airtravel marketplace for three decades. And, in fact, the governments ofQatar and the United Arab Emirates should also be well aware ofthe policy considering they signed Open Skies agreements with the U.S. 10 years ago that purposely prohibit such practices that hinder market-based competition. I am personally requesting thatyou reengage Qatar and UAE in discussions to end their market distorting subsidies at once. Benefits such as subsidized airport charges and free land on which to operate creates an uneven playing field. I am sure you agree U.S. airlines are prepared to compete with any other airline in the world, provided everyone is operating underthe same rules and regulations. Ifthe subsidies are allowed to continue, U.S. airlines could lose out on valuable international routes and passengers- and that would cause a ripple effect harming service to our domestic airports that help feed those same international routes. Our local Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) would very likely see routes discontinued as a result of unfair practices by the Gulfairlines half-a-world away. Furthermore, PBI and the airlines that serve it are an important employer in our community. And with estimates that for every international roundtrip flight that is forgone or lost by a domestic airline an 

### 513 35th 

## Street 

# s 10-150505-038 

## West Palm Beach, FL 33407average net loss of more than 800 American jobs is lost with them, our community could be severely impacted ifthis situation is not addressed by the Obama Administration. We simply cannot afford to allow Open Skies policy to continue to be trampled by Qatar and UAE's unwarranted subsidies. Please take immediate action to end the Gulfairlines' unfair advantages and allow U.S. airlines to compete on a level playing field. Sincerely,

Sylvia Moffett District 1 Commissioner City ofWest Palm Beach



# s 10-150505-038 

### 513 35th Street West Palm Beach, FL 33407

### Commissioner Sylvia Moffett 513 35th Street West Palm Beach, FL 33407



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