US: Airline CEs seek Tillerson meeting on feud with Gulf carriers

The 3 biggest US airlines asked for a meeting with new secretary of State Rex Tillerson to discuss their long-held contention that billions of govt subsidies enable the Persian Gulf carriers to compete unfairly for passengers. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are receiving help from their govts that undermines “the basic principles of fair and open competition that are the foundation” of air treaties that regulate service between countries, according to a letter signed by the CEs of American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines and United Continental. “The subsidies allow the Gulf carriers to operate without concern for turning a profit, unlike US airlines, and therefore focus entirely on stripping market share and driving out competition,” according to the letter. <br/>