Emirates rejects Delta Air Lines apology over remarks

Emirates believes that the statements made this week by Mr Anderson were deliberately crafted and delivered for specific effect.

Dubai — Emirates airline rejected on Thursday an apology by Delta over remarks by the US carrier’s chief, in which it said he appeared to suggest a link between Gulf carriers and the September 11 attacks.

“Emirates rejects the apology issued by Delta Air Lines in response to comments made by its CEO... which intimated a link between the Gulf carriers and the 9/11 attacks.”

“We believe that the statements made this week by Mr Anderson were deliberately crafted and delivered for specific effect.”

“This brings into question his credibility as a CEO of a US public listed company, as well as the integrity of the submission which his airline has submitted to the US authorities”.

Speaking to CNN on Monday, Delta chief Richard Anderson lashed out at Gulf carriers when asked about claims that bankruptcy protection for US airlines should be seen as government assistance.

“It’s a great irony to have the UAE from the Arabian Peninsula talk about that, given the fact that our industry was really shocked by the terrorism of 9/11,” Anderson said.

But Delta said Anderson “didn’t mean to suggest the Gulf carriers or their governments are linked to the 9/11 terrorists. We apologise if anyone was offended.”