In what seems like a previous life, Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar were accused of surviving only due to the extravagant spending of their governments to prop them up. But now these same governments have been accused...
Why Airlines Struggle In Italy
The joke goes that Italian airlines will be profitable…when hell freezes over. Why is it that airlines seem to struggle in Italy? In an article entitled, Good Luck To Any Airline That Tries To Make A Profit Flying U.S.-Italy, Ted Reed...
A Middle East Subsidy American Airlines Loves
For all its condemnation of alleged Middle East subsidies, American Airlines certainly loves them…when it is the beneficiary of them. Last week, I wrote about AA’s new service between Dallas and Tel Aviv, set to commence in September of...
Trump’s Anger Over Delta CEO Torpedoes Protectionist Cause
It’s amazing really to think that one man’s absence may have lurched a White House meeting from one outcome to another. But we live in the age of Donald Trump. That’s not mean as a compliment or an insult,...
Shuttle Diplomacy By Qatar Airways Impresses Trump, Roils US Airline CEOs
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker can smile today. He won the battle at the White House. President Donald Trump sided with him…and perhaps for reasons having less to do with the issue itself than over ego. A successful...
Did Delta CEO Chicken Out Of White House Meeting?
A group of CEOs from major airlines in the USA…and one outside the USA, met with President Donald Trump in the White House yesterday to discuss objections over Gulf Carriers and Air Italy. But one vocal opponent was visibly...
U.S. Airlines Pandering To President Trump In Gratuitous New Ad
U.S. airlines are hoping to bypass Congress, regulators and other high-level administration officials and take their Gulf Carrier subsidy argument directly to President Donald Trump. Let’s start with the video. Take 30-seconds to watch this: The video starts with...
Dense, Dimwitted Logic From A Deliberately Deceptive Delta CEO
Air Italy’s USA expansion has caused a stir amongst U.S. legacy carriers. But Delta CEO Ed Bastian’s op-ed response is riddled with deception and outright mistruth. Feel free to start by reading Ed Bastian’s op-ed without my commentary. I’m...
Civil War in Trump Administration Over Gulf Carriers
What happens when two factions within the White House hold differing views on the same agreement? A war of words, to say the least… A fascinating AP story by Josh Lederman outlines the conflict. In one corner, President Donald Trump’s trade...
Delta’s Victory Lap Over a Meaningless Agreement + New Service to India?
Reading press releases from American, Delta, and United, you would think that Emirates and Etihad agreed to abandon service to the United States. They actually agreed to very little. But in a face-saving move, U.S. carriers are celebrating. Delta’s...
Qatar vs. Delta – Who Really Won?
Later today U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will announce a sweeping deal that will put to rest the dispute between U.S. carriers and Qatar Airways. But who is the real winner here? Qatar Airways will agree not to...
Senate Version of Tax Cut Bill Eliminates Tax Hike on Gulf Carriers
The final tax cut bill has not reached the President’s desk yet, but the U.S. Senate has wisely cut a ridiculous tax increase levied on foreign airlines from its version of the bill. Per the Los Angeles Times: Sen....
Matthew Is Wrong About Gulf Carriers
There has been an awful lot of debate regarding major US carriers and the Gulf “ME3”. US airlines are simply trying to defend their home turf against an onslaught of new traffic. Why are they being derided by bloggers like...
Ouch! Ramifications of Etihad’s $1.87BN Loss
Etihad lost near $2BN last year due to bad investments and low fuel costs. What will the future hold for the behemoth Gulf carrier? When it comes to actually flying, Etihad made money. Its losses come primarily in three...
Why Isn’t Delta Protesting South African Airways?
Delta talks a good game about the evils of government subsides. But you have to wonder, then, why a blatant case of a government propping up a failing carrier on a route Delta competes on doesn’t even merit mention. South...
10 Ways Taxpayers Subsidize U.S. Airlines
With an offensively misleading campaign against Gulf Carriers by suspect interest groups, it is time for a counterattack. Not because I love Gulf Carriers and certainly not because I hate U.S. carriers — but because the truth must be...
A Dishonest Smear in the Fight Over Gulf Subsidies
Earlier this month, Delta released a “documentary” attacking the Gulf Carriers. I didn’t even write about it because it represents unadulterated propaganda. But now a friend was attacked for criticizing it and I feel obligated to weigh in. Be warned: in the...
United CEO Blasts Qatar CEO for Sexist Remarks
Yesterday I wrote about blatantly ageist remarks made by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker that ridiculed US-based flight attendants. Now United CEO Oscar Munoz has come out swinging against him. In a note to employees, a YouTube link to Akbar’s...
Will US Airlines Now Boycott Alitalia?
The problem according to U.S. airlines is this– The nations of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are funneling billions of dollars in government subsidies to their state-owned airlines, distorting the international aviation market and undermining fair competition....
Exposed: Shameful Double Standards on Airline Subsidies
Breaking news. The sun rose in the east today. If you’re wondering why I often dismiss the outcry of U.S. airlines over subsidies, look no further than two news items this week. News Item #1: A protest over Emirates’...
