Minnesota’s eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives — from both the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) and Republican parties — recently released a letter sent to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, urging them to take action against violations of Open Skies agreements.
The letter alleges that the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have funneled more than $50 billion in subsidies into their state-owned airlines, Etihad Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways, violating trade agreements.
“Qatar and UAE air carriers are using their government subsidies to launch international service that would not be possible without government backing,” the representatives said. “These new routes are coming at the expense of U.S. airlines’ international networks, American jobs, and ultimately will harm consumers.”
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport employs nearly 75,000 people and generates $2.9 billion in state revenue.
The letter was signed by Reps. Keith Ellison (DFL-M), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Jason Lewis (R-MN), Betty McCollum (DFL-MN), Richard Nolan (DFL-MN), Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Collin Peterson (DFL-MN) and Tim Walz (DFL-MN).
Similar letters have been sent by a bipartisan group of six senators, by Michigan’s senators and representatives and by Georgia business leaders and state politicians.
Delta Airlines praised the representatives for taking a stand against unfair practices and emphasized trade agreements must be enforced to protect jobs.