Airlines

FedEx salutes the upholding of US and UAE Open Skies agreement

FedEx has hailed the announcement this week by the US State Department that the US and UAE will uphold the Open Skies agreement.

The express freight firm’s president and chief operating office, David J. Bronczek, joined the U.S. Airlines for Open Skies (USAOS) coalition in applauding the news that the two countries will continue with the agreement.

The UAE and Qatar announcements put an end to a years-long effort by the US legacy carriers (Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines) to reopen US Open Skies agreements with both the UAE and Qatar, and their efforts to limit access to the US for airlines in Qatar and the UAE.

He said: “FedEx strongly supports keeping America’s skies open for all business, and we commend the Trump Administration for upholding the Open Skies agreement between the US and the UAE.

“Today’s announcement ensures carriers from both countries can continue to make their own decisions about their operations, including Fifth Freedom routes, as the ability to implement new flights is vital to the future of aviation.

“We appreciate the State Department prioritising consumer choice and economic growth by honouring this commitment.”

The US-UAE resolution, as well as the resolution reached earlier this year between the US and Qatar, does not affect the rights enjoyed by US, UAE and Qatar airlines under the respective Open Skies agreements.  This includes the right to provide service between the parties with intermediate stops, known as Fifth Freedom service.

The USAOS coalition said: “This resolution is a clear victory for American workers, travellers, and exporters, and reaffirms the US commitment to Open Skies. We commend the Trump Administration for its thoughtful approach and unwavering commitment to resolve this matter in a way that fully protects the rights of each party under the agreement.

“Today’s announcement will allow all sectors of commercial aviation to grow stronger than ever and upholds America’s leading role in global aviation.”

USAOS is a coalition of four US passenger and cargo carriers – Atlas Air Worldwide, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, and JetBlue Airways – in support of the United States’ Open Skies agreements, which promote US jobs and economic growth.

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