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Atlas, FedEx lead coalition to stave off US Big 3 attack on Open Skies

TWO of the biggest US air cargo players, FedEx Express and Atlas Air Worldwide, have joined a coalition to defend international Open Skies agreements, reports Seattle's Cargo Facts.

Together with Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue Airways, the big cargo carriers wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker opposing demands to re-open Open Skies agreements with Gulf carriers.

American, Delta and United - the Big 3 - have complained that they cannot compete with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar because they are illegally subsidised by their governments.

The Arab carriers have formally submitted documentation to the US Government to prove that they are not unfairly subsidised, but many believe the Big 3 have the lobbying power to get their way.

FedEx Express CEO David Bronczek spoke out several months ago in support of keeping skies open, and he is now joined by the leaders of Atlas, Hawaiian and JetBlue.

Said Atlas CEO William Flynn: "Open Skies has allowed US cargo airlines to develop global networks, which, in turn, have facilitated the rapid movement of US military supplies around the world in times of need."

Said Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley: "The Big 3 do not speak for all, or even most, US airlines. Our coalition believes that the United States should honour its Open Skies commitments, which opens markets for US carriers, promotes competition on international and domestic routes, and facilitates US exports."

Said JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes: "Global competition is a fact of life. Open Skies has opened the door to tremendous new opportunities for US airlines including JetBlue - competition that benefits consumers and the economy - and we must oppose calls to roll back that progress and risk reverting to the old days of heavy government regulation of our industry."