Kentucky Chamber 

Uniting Business. Advancing Kentucky. 

May 5, 2015 

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 Mitch McConnell 

Majority Leader 

United States Senate 

317 Russell Senate Office' Building 

Washington, DC 20510 

Dear Secretary Kerry, Secretary Foxx and Senator McConnell, 

On behalf of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce I write to express our deep concern over serious 

violations of Open Skies agreements committed by the governments of Qatar and the United Arab 

Emirates, and their state-owned airlines. In blatant disregard for Open Skies policy, both Gulf States are 

funneling tens of billions of dollars in subsidies and other unfair handouts into three government owned 

airlines: Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. 

If allowed to continue, this unprecedented level of financial backing will significantly distort the 

international market and adversely affect the many American and Kentucky businesses that rely on a 

healthy aviation industry. 

Over the past ten years, the three Gulf carriers have received at least $42 billion in subsidies and 

benefits from their host states. This has allowed Qatar, Etihad and Emirates to dramatically expand 

their fleets and lower their rates below what their competitors can match, driving U.S. carriers like 

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines out of once profitable international routes. Since 

long haul international passengers connect to and from domestic flights at U.S. carrier hubs, like 

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG), discontinued international service has a severe 

negative spillover effect on the domestic service of U.S. carriers. 

Airline experts estimate that every international roundtrip flight lost by a U.S. airline results in a net loss 

of 821 high quality American jobs, not just in aviation, but in the many industries that support U.S. air 

travel. 

~ .. J • • • !I! .. ' 

510-150511-021 

d Frankfort, KY 40601 phone 502-695-4700 fax 502-695-5051 www.kychamber.com 
Open Skies Agreements 

Page2 

Major airports like CVG play a vital role in the community~ serving as regional hubs for commerce and 

economic development. Without any action~ the effects of this uneven playing field will radiate outward 

from major airports across the country and threaten businesses large and small throughout the U.S. 

As an organization designed to foster economic growth and competition~ the Kentucky Chamber of 

Commerce is requesting that the U.S. government open consultations with Qatar and the UAE to 

address these violations of Open Skies policy~ as provided in the agreements themselves. While these 

negotiations go forward~ we also hope the government will seek a moratorium on new capacity from 

the Gulf carriers to the U.S. 

Sincerely~ 

Bryan Sunderland 

Senior Vice President~ Public Affairs 

510-150511-021 
Kentucky Chamber 

Umting Busmess. Advancing Kentucky. 

464 Chenault Road Frankfort, KY 40601 

5 10-150511-021 

The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx 

Secretary of Transportation 

US Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

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