ALPA on Emirates and Etihad

[Furloughed80]

Good to see this is getting ALPA's attention.

ALPA FastRead

New U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Aviation Report Released
The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) has been running an aggressive PR campaign in the United States to win support for its state-sponsored airlines. A new report by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council goes as far as to exalt the benefits to U.S. workers from the commercial aviation partnership between the United States and the U.A.E.

However, the report fails to mention that Emirates’ and Etihad’s expansion poses a direct threat to U.S. pilot and aviation jobs. While the report heralds the value of this aviation “partnership,” only 2 of the 13 daily U.S.–U.A.E. nonstop flights are operated by U.S. airlines, and no U.S. airline flies into or out of Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, the U.A.E. airlines do not need to adhere to labor relations rules comparable to those that govern our domestic carriers, and they operate at a competitive cost advantage thanks to the U.A.E.’s favorable tax and regulatory structure.

Increased international air travel certainly has the potential to deliver economic benefits to the United States; however, the U.S. government should promote policies that ensure U.S. aviation jobs are protected as this expansion occurs and promote the growth and success of our domestic airlines.

As a starting point, ALPA has proposed reducing the tax burden on U.S. airlines, maintaining strong foreign ownership and cabotage restrictions, and avoiding gifting one-sided advantages to foreign competitors, such as the creation of a CBP preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi airport. You can read more about ALPA’s policy proposals in our “Leveling the Playing Field” white paper.

 

[ualdriver]

Good to see this is getting ALPA's attention.

This had ALPA's attention a long time ago, along with a campaign sent to members to "write their reps" in Congress via a few easy mouse clicks.

 

[johnsonrod]

Everyone is talking about the emerging, super-flashy Middle Eastern carriers. While Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways are known threats, another big one people forget about is Turkish Airlines. Istanbul is strategically located between Europe and the ME and the airline aims to offer 300 destinations served by 500+ airplanes (with a newer, bigger airport to be built). Because of it's geographic advantage, Turkish can use 737-900ERs to serve markets in the ME and India instead of more expensive heavies - it can fill its planes very easily and operate at lower CASMs. Turkish already flies 777s daily nonstop from Istanbul to LAX. So, if you want to get to India or North Africa from the West Coast, why take an Amercian airline or one of the Middle Eastern-based goliaths? Turkish also serves ORD, IAD and JFK and will be adding more cities in the US.

Turkish is a Star Alliance member (good for other code-share members) and it is growing quickly while everyone seems transfixed on Emirates, Etihad and Qatar.

 

[zasca]

Turkish is a "top ten" airline too... When was the last time a US carrier was on that list?!??

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Perhaps if Smisek would quit making videos about 1/2 billion investments in fleet upgrade and actually do it, something might happen. Until then, Emirates will spend 10x that and trump everyone whilst offering 20x the service.

 

[ForgedBlade]

We're supposed to care what ALPA thinks?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi2KFmmu8wk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3mKqaoMDag

 

[dicko]

I enjoyed this part of ALPAs blurb -

"Furthermore, the U.A.E. airlines do not need to adhere to labor relations rules comparable to those that govern our domestic carriers"

I'd rather work for Emirates than any of the sweatshop regional carriers, and some of the big carriers that ALPA represents.

 

[Jetjockey]

I'd rather work for Emirates than any of the sweatshop regional carriers, and some of the big carriers that ALPA represents.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[Father Jack]

For me, it didn't!

 

[dicko]

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

I see you disagree ....... Four years at Emirates or Trans States ? You choose.