By Bailey Williams
WASHINGTON — Preventing independent international airlines from competing with U.S. and European Union approved airlines could inhibit American economic growth, advocates of open-skies agreements said Wednesday.
Five representatives from various stake-holding travel groups claimed at a press conference that fear of competition should not hinder existing open-skies pacts from proceeding.
Open-skies agreements free restrictions on some foreign airline carriers in flying in areas commonly just open to U.S. and EU carriers.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are lobbying to revisit open-skies rules. The airlines are arguing, among other things, that several non-U.S. carriers have unfair advantage because of heavy government subsidies.
Flight Attendants from Norwegian Air International advocated for the need of open skies agreements for foreign carriers. (Bailey Williams/MNS)
“We are very disturbed when we see the storm clouds gathering over open skies,” said Nancy Sparks, managing director of regulatory affairs at FedEx Express, adding the company welcomes competition.
Advocates say they want additional open-skies agreements, which they argue will boost tourism and help grow jobs.
International travel, considered an American export, represented 12 percent of all export growth last year, making it the top service export, said Erik Hansen, senior director of domestic policy at the U.S. Travel Association.
Hansen referenced President Barack Obama’s 2012 goal of obtaining 100 million international visitors by 2020. The strategy has potential to support one million American jobs, Hansen said. “Open skies is really the backbone through which we will be able to achieve these economic goals,” he said.
Beyond economic benefits, advocates also touted expansion opportunities.
New agreements could provide flight options in under-served areas, said Keith Meurlin, president of the nonprofit Washington Airports Task Force, which promotes better airport service in Virginia and the District of Columbia. If U.S. carriers are not offering flights in smaller cities, foreign carriers should be allowed to service these areas, he said.
Norwegian Air International needs travel and traffic rights it lacks because of its status outside the European Union, said John Byerly, a former deputy assistant Secretary of State who is now consulting for the airline.
An airline without an open-skies agreement could not fly between London and Toronto, for example, Byerly said.
Norwegian Air International flight attendants also showed up in force, at the National Press Club and outside the building, as a display of labor solidarity with the airline.
