Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s Minister of Economy, Sultan Al Mansouri, has responded to allegations made by US airlines against Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, saying that US officials, “cannot throw accusations without proof,” and that such tactics are “totally unacceptable.”
“What was the question raised by the CEOs of these airlines here in the Gulf countries? Please give us these reports that you have on subsidies. We have to look at them, and then provide an answer.
“I think we should leave [the issue] at the level of the airlines, and we should leave it for the reality of providing proof,” Al Mansouri told reporters on Monday.
He added that the “fiery exchange of words” between CEOs of airlines in the US and the Gulf was “not healthy for the relationship of airlines, and should not be affecting the relationship of nations.”
“What we need to stress is the importance of transparency, and we agree on that a 100 per cent. Transparency means access to information and data, so throwing some figures with some accusations is totally unacceptable in any country, in any region, and in any system,” the minister said.
Al Mansouri said that he thought the word ‘subsidy’ was being misused in the situation, and that the word should not be used without the presence of proof.
Three US airlines — Delta, United, and American — had asked the White House to look into the financial statements of Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways. The US airlines claimed that the Gulf carriers received over $40 billion (Dh146.88 billion) in subsidies from their respective governments since 2004.
Gulf carriers have denied the allegations, with Tim Clark, Emirates’ President, saying he will fly to Washington to meet officials from the US Department of Transport.
Al Mansouri’s comments came during a press conference on the sidelines of the 10th UAE-German Joint Economic Commission meeting, which was held in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting saw discussions between an Emirati delegation led by the minister, and a German delegation led by Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s federal minister for economic affairs and energy.
Asked about developments in air services agreements between the UAE and Germany, Al Mansouri said the issue was in the process of negotiations, while Gabriel said the issue has been resolved for the summer period.
The German federal minister said the next few months will be used to find solutions to the issue for the rest of the year.
The meeting between both parties aims to boost bilateral trade, especially in areas such as renewable energy, education, innovation, industry, and infrastructure, with the German side confirming that the drop in oil prices has not affected decisions to invest in the UAE.
