End in sight to US airlines row, says official

Abu Dhabi - The three top US airlines American, Delta and United are lobbying with the US administration over what they claim are subsidies given to the three Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.

The ongoing dispute between US and Gulf airlines is likely to be resolved this year, said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE.
Speaking on the sidelines of a three-day symposium on 'Emerging space activities and civil aviation - opportunities and challenges', Al Suwaidi said he was confident that since UAE airlines did not breach any article of the civil aviation agreement with the US, the issue would be resolved within this year.
The three top US airlines American, Delta and United are lobbying with the US administration over what they claim are subsidies given to the three Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.
The director-general was also hopeful that with the new government in Canada, the UAE would get more landing rights in the North American country.
In April, he said the GCC countries would have talks with the European Union's Commissioner on Transport.
- haseeb@khaleejtimes.com