Dubai: Emirates airline president Tim Clark believes the carrier has presented a strong case in the Open Skies debate that has seen the United States’ three largest airlines lobby for it to be restricted from expanding in the US.
Clark told reporters in Dubai on Monday the airline believes it has “clearly dispelled” claims it received state subsidies and proven that it adds value to the US economy. “We believe our case is strong,” he said.
Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have been accused by US carriers American, United and Delta this year of receiving over $40 billion (Dh146.92 billion) in state subsides over the past decade that they say are a violation of the US’ open skies policy. The US airlines have called on the US government to halt the expansion of Gulf carriers in the US and to renegotiate its Open Skies policy with the UAE and Qatar.
The Gulf carriers deny the allegations.
Clark said Emirates’ argument “has resonated in the areas it should have gone” but said it would be “difficult” to prejudge what the US government will decide.
“You’ve also got the overarching political side of things with the UAE and Qatar and US, and the cohesion there is with what’s going on in our region,” Clark said.
Airbus A380neo development
Emirates has met with Airbus six times this year to discuss the development of the A380neo (new engine option) that Emirates wants the European aircraft-maker to commit to building, according to Clark.
“I have made it absolutely clear and we’ve had six meetings in the course of this year where we said what we want, when we want [it] and how many right up to 2035,” he said. “They’ve [Airbus] got to have the will to build it.”
