Voices for Open Skies

Open Skies agreements promote travel to our U.S. communities, supporting jobs in small businesses that pay good wages.

At a time when there are fewer flights to fewer destinations, airline passengers are paying higher fees for baggage and seat assignments, and constantly encounter poor air service options, oftentimes due to a complete lack of connectivity.

Travelers need choice and connectivity and our communities need jobs, not a government intervention that benefits American, Delta, and United Airlines.

Join Voices For Open Skies and share your story on how #OpenSkiesWork for you.

Read selected letters of support for Open Skies filed with the U.S. Government below.

Hundreds of business owners, travel employees, and consumers have weighed in to tell the U.S. Government that #OpenSkiesWork.

Check out letters of support from business leaders in your region.

1.7 million

Travelers to the U.S. via Gulf carriers
$7.8 billion

Spending by visitors to U.S. via Gulf carriers
114,000

American jobs supported by Open Skies agreements
$2.3 billion

Tax revenue generated by the spending of international visitors arriving via Gulf carriers

Voices for Open Skies in Your Communities

View Your State

"The foundation of the explosive growth in international aviation and travel has been the negotiation of Open Skies agreements with 114 countries around the world, including our most important aviation partners in Europe, East Asia and the Middle East. We support this policy of Open Skies that has brought tremendous…"

Jim Murren, Las Vegas, NV
"Preserving U.S. Open Skies agreements is critical to reaching the Obama Administration's goal of attracting 100 million international visitors per year by 2021 - a goal we wholeheartedly endorse and are committed to achieving. "

Visit Mesa, Mesa, AZ
"Many U.S. cities and destinations that were once largely shut out of the international travel market now enjoy new access to international travelers because of Open Skies. "

Utah’s Canyon Country, Monticello, UT
"Preserving U.S. Open Skies agreements is critical to reaching the Obama Administration's goal of attracting 100 million international visitors per year by 2021 - a goal we wholeheartedly endorse and are committed to achieving. "

U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, Hilton Head, SC
"Preserving U.S. Open Skies agreements is critical to reaching the Obama Administration's goal of attracting 100 million international visitors per year by 2021 - a goal we wholeheartedly endorse and are committed to achieving. "

STR Inc, Hendersonville, TN
"Millions of potential travelers from the rising middle class in India, Asia and the Middle East represent the market of the future for hundreds of American cities and destinations, thousands of American business that depend on travel and millions of American that are supported by travel spending. These are precisely…"

Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, Baton Rouge, LA
"Many U.S. cities and destinations that were once largely shut out of the international travel market now enjoy new access to international travelers because of Open Skies. "

Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Myrtle Beach, SC
"Preserving U.S. Open Skies agreements is critical to reaching the Obama Administration's goal of attracting 100 million international visitors per year by 2021 - a goal we wholeheartedly endorse and are committed to achieving. "

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, Topeka, KS
"Millions of potential travelers from the rising middle class in India, Asia and the Middle East represent the market of the future for hundreds of American cities and destinations, thousands of American business that depend on travel and millions of American that are supported by travel spending. These are precisely…"

ITA Group, West Des Moines, IA
"Millions of potential travelers from the rising middle class in India, Asia and the Middle East represent the market of the future for hundreds of American cities and destinations, thousands of American business that depend on travel and millions of American that are supported by travel spending. These are precisely…"

Goulding’s Lodge & Tours, Monument Valley, UT
"When the Middle Eastern carriers (Qatar, Emirates and Etihad) commenced service from Washington to that part of the world in the last few years, things immediately changed for the better. In addition to shaving more than eight hours off of the travel time, the journey itself became a welcome transition…"

Carolina Martin, Arlington, VA
"Open Skies agreements pave the way for the considerable number of travelers arriving through Dulles (nearly 22 million in 2013) and across our region. The agreements give global travelers more options to fly into various destinations across America. Organizations like mine can better attract these eager business and leisure travelers…"

Rita McClenny, Richmond, VA
"The U.S. airlines can and will continue to accommodate some of these travelers, but they are less adept at serving cities in India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other emerging markets. Roanoke wants and needs to welcome visitors from these areas. Connections via Dulles International Airport are vital in…"

Sam Rasoul, Roanoke, VA
"About 20 percent of my customer base is composed of international visitors. If the number of direct foreign flights in and out of Sea-Tac were reduced or eliminated, this would cut down on international tourism, which has the potential to negatively affect my business."

Blayne McAferty, Seattle, WA
"Approximately 40 percent of my customers are tourists from foreign countries. They generally use foreign airlines to come to the United States. If the foreign carriers are allowed to expand their services, then it's possible that more international visitors will come to Seattle and sign up for one of my…"

Charles Russell, Seattle, WA
"Seattle is the only U.S. city other than New York to have two or more Emirates flights per day, adding real competition and options for travelers in this market. Emirates has flown to Seattle for over three years, providing a significant boost to the Seattle economy. Each new international service…"

Joe Fain, Olympia, WA
"We now have an office in Manila in addition to our shop in Virginia Beach. Eighty percent of my business hails from the Far East and Dubai. Any success and growth has been a direct result of Open Skies."

Roy Estaris, Virginia Beach, VA
"If the domestic carriers want a larger share of the market, they should compete and lower their prices and improve their service. Foreign carriers usually provide better service, and often better prices. That's the basis of competitive markets: if you provide better service for a better price, consumers will choose…"

Don Lasher, Plano, TX
"San Antonio competes aggressively with other destinations, nationally and internationally. That competition, of course, is healthy. We believe that more competition in all aspects of the travel landscape is good for consumers and good for the growth of our industry, producing a better, more attractive travel product and encouraging more…"

Casandra Matej, San Antonio, TX
"Just last year, Qatar Airways began a flight from Philadelphia to Doha, the first time in more than ten years that a new international airline started a flight to Philly. The economic impact of this one Qatar Airways flight is $95 million annually. This impact can be magnified by adding…"

Dwight Evans, Philadelphia, PA
"As a retired nurse, I've been fortunate enough that I could afford to travel to places like Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and France. If we're going to keep international travel accessible to middle class people, there has to be competition on the market to keep prices affordable."

Marion McDevitt, Wynnewood, PA
"By fostering greater competition and airline access to markets in India, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, Open Skies enable our destination and businesses to welcome visitors from across the world like never before. Travelers, both domestic and international, are taking advantage of more affordable options and the opportunity…"

Jessica Willi, Block Island, RI
"With our large Asian population, the District is finding the services of the Middle Eastern airlines very important. Many parts of Southeast and South Asia, in particular, are overlooked by U.S. airlines. Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways have helped open new, more direct routes and brought competition that has lowered…"

Alice Lee, Houston, TX
"Adding new airline carries, with opportunities to link Pittsburgh with cities all over the globe, would provide significant economic impact to the city and the region. Philadelphia has estimated the economic impact of the new Qatar service at over $90 million; we would expect a similarly positive impact from new…"

Jake Wheatley, Pittsburgh, PA
"In 2014, travel and tourism activities supported nearly 27,500 jobs in South Dakota, or 1 of every 11 jobs in the Mount Rushmore State. Direct spending by visitors in South Dakota communities averaged $3.8 million per day for a total economic impact of nearly $2 billion. This growth is a…"

James Hagen, Pierre, SD
"To be clear, we are not afraid of competition. We compete aggressively with other destinations across the country and around the world. Competition is good for consumers and good for the growth of our industry, producing an improved travel product and encouraging more visitors to come here. Why wouldn't that…"

Brad Dean, Myrtle Beach, SC
"Both Emirates and Etihad Airways have code sharing partnerships with JetBlue, which serves Portland. Given the increasing demand for travel from critical travel markets in India, the Middle East, Asia and other fast-growing markets, our hope would be to expand air service in anticipation that one day we can expand…"

Todd Davidson, Salem, OR
"I have traveled with Emirates, Etihad, and Egyptian airlines. I do not fly with American or Delta Air Lines, because they do not serve food that I can eat, making it inconvenient for me. They should have more direct flights from the U.S. to eliminate time constraints due to layovers,…"

Amina Osman, Flushing, NY
"Losing these routes between would be a grave disappointment to the over 3.2 million IndianAmericans currently residing in the U.S. Traveling to and from smaller cities in India would become significantly more difficult. In addition, because of the reduced competition, travel to the larger cities of Mumbai and New Delhi…"

Jeevan Zutshi, Lexington, KY
"Take India, for example. Currently, the Gulf carriers are a critical link to India, while many U.S. carriers are cutting back service in those markets. In 2014, the average visitor from India spent $5,900 while traveling in the United States. These expenditures support thousands of businesses (including CityPASS) that depend…"

Mike Gallagher, Victor, ID
"Mr. Secretary, US airlines aren't concerned with fundamental fairness or subsidies; they're looking to use the power of the US government to handicap competitors. Our government should not take this bait, because consumers are the primary beneficiaries from competition by the ME3 and ultimately the country will benefit from a…"

Gary Leff, Colorado Springs, CO
"If this agreement is successfully challenged it will have a negative effect on international tourism to the USA, not only from the Arabian Peninsula, but most possibly for all carriers to the USA that are not US Owned Carriers. If United/American/Delta are successful in their challenge, who will be the…"

Gary Shluter, Lexington, KY
"In an increasingly global and competitive marketplace, we must provide our customers with products that move quickly to all parts of the globe. The connectivity provided by Open Skies agreements is essential if we are to have a supply chain that successfully meet the needs of our customers and the…"

Kevin Brown, Round Rock, TX
"Too often, America loses out to destinations like Singapore or Vienna for global events. If we are to effectively compete in the market for global travelers, we need to preserve policies like Open Skies that grow the market for international travel of all types."

Sherry Rupert, Albuquerque, NM
"Open Skies agreements have increased the number of flights to all regions of the United States, expanding options to mid-markets such as our destination, and providing travelers with lower fares. It is great not only for travelers but for the tourism industry as a whole."

Annette Rummel, Saginaw, MI
"Because of the U.S. Open Skies agreement with the UAE, Emirates will start service this September between Dubai and Orlando - the first direct route between Dubai and Florida. This single route will deliver an estimated $100 million in economic benefits to Orlando and the Orange County economy, supporting thousands…"

Teresa Jacobs, Orlando, FL
"Etihad is one of the largest carriers from the United States to Pakistan, offering connections to four Pakistani cities with its one connection service from six U.S. getaways through its hub in Abu Dhabi. Through its accessible routes, millions of U.S. residents who travel to Pakistan to do business or…"

Abdul Butt, Morton Grove, IL
"The giant airlines, such as United and Delta, definitely have a big hold on the market. As a result, they can treat passengers any way they please, charge them any rates they choose, and offering the level of service they deem appropriate."

Shareen Ghaziani, Chicago, IL
"As a result, American passengers are choosing to fly U.A.E. airlines and have come to value the better service and more convenient connections. According to Skytrax, a research firm, U.A.E. airlines ranked in the top 5 among passengers while the highest placed U.S. airline was Delta, at 49th. Emirates, meanwhile,…"

Danny Sebright, Washington, DC
"As the owner of a limousine service, I estimate that ninety percent of my business comes from tourism. When international travelers visit Boston, their visits provide more revenue for the city, but also more money for my limousine service. If I could no longer rely on the income generated from…"

Mark Solimini, Lynn, MA
"Atlanta is solely a Delta hub, and in order for Emirates, Etihad, Qatar or other airlines from India to begin direct service from Atlanta, they will need to have a cooperation with hub airline."

Jerish Augustine, Lawrenceville, GA
"For Hawaii travel and tourism is our largest international export. Tourism is also our largest creator of jobs. Open Sky agreements contribute to our competiveness on a global scale and opens new markets and opportunities."

Juergen Steinmetz, Haleiwa, HI
"For example, in 2013, 140,600 international visitors brought to the U.S. by Emirates, Etihad and Qatar, resulted in $2.3 billion in economic output and support of 16,000 American jobs. The Gulf cairriers are a pipeline to the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and beyond."

Amanda Hite, Hendersonville, TN
"One can only conclude that to be consistent in its international trade policy and foreign policy an Open Skies policy should be the policy of the U.S. Government and a policy which will also be supportive of World Peace through International Trade and Travel."

Louis D’Amore, Stowe, VT
"There are currently 114 Open Skies agreements which continue to create demand for global air travel. Open Skies has proven to have maintained competitive fares which are 32 percent lower than in regulated markets. This is important for the continued growth of existing markets and a destination's ability to open…"

Mary Motsenbocker, Englewood, CO
"The larger airlines need to work through the competition and raise their standards if they are losing business to superior foreign carriers."

Artis Thomas, Miami, FL
"I have traveled on both U.S. domestic and one of the Middle Eastern airlines, known as Emirates, and noticed their service and route was better. Our route on this particular carrier was more direct in nature from California to Dubai. If I were to have flown on any of the…"

Darlene Al Rasheed, Orlando, FL
"In 2014, more than 4.3 million international visitors relied on Orlando International Airport as their gateway to what we believe is the premier vacation and leisure destination in the world. The US's Open Skies policy, a hugely successful economic policy in addition to being smart air service policy, has been…"

DT Minich, Kissimmee, FL
"I estimate that 80% of my business comes from International Travelers. If fewer people were coming here because of the high cost of flights, my business would suffer. I might have to fire 1 or 2 of my nine employees. On the other hand, if these Foreign Airlines were allowed…"

Edna Rabata, Orlando, FL
"In my business, I have to compete with other companies. Competition is a regulator; it keeps prices reasonable and impedes the formation of a monopoly. By asking for changes to the Open Skies agreement, major US airlines are trying to control international air travel in Miami."

Miomir Maksimcev, Miami, FL
"For instance, according to the US National Travel Tourism Office (NTTO) visitors from Brazil have soared from 74,000 in 2004 to 768,000 in 2013 and grew exponentially after the US-Brazil Open Skies agreement was signed."

Richard Maladecki, Orlando, FL
"I believe the U.S. carriers would benefit from having to directly compete with airlines like Emirates that provide good customer service for about the same price. They would be forced to improve their own service in order to compete."

Sheikh Assad, Gotha, FL
"Flights that bring upscale clientele act as a stimulant to help Orlando remain a competitive destination of luxury offerings, while competing with other top vacation destinations such as Europe. More specifically, the Asian and Middle Eastern markets have a much higher spend per person over the average shopper at our…"

Steven Jamieson, Orlando, FL
"My business, Secret Garden Bed & Breakfast, is just one example. Between 70% and 80% of my business depends on international travelers coming here from Germany, India, China, and many other parts of the world. With higher airline prices causing a reduction in travel, I could lose a large portion…"

David Austin, Los Angeles, CA
"In 2014, our destination welcomed more than 2.3 million overseas travelers from the United Kingdom, China, Germany, France, Australia and Brazil, to name a few. These travelers stayed an average of 8 nights and spent more than $1.45 billion on hotels, meals, shopping, attractions and other goods and services, helping…"

Matt Gaffney, Rehoboth Beach, DE
"Too often, America loses out to destinations like Dubai or Hong Kong for global events. If we are to effectively compete in the market for global travelers, we need to preserve policies like Open Skies that grow the market for international travel of all types."

Douglas Price, Colorado Springs, CO
"At the bed and breakfast I own and operate in Point Reyes Station, California, the Black Heron Inn, we receive about twenty percent of our business from foreign business and leisure travelers. We get a lot of business particularly from Europe, such as the UK, Germany, France and even occasional…"

Bill Wigert, Point Reyes Station, CA
"Like many people across the United States who depend on air travel to do business and see family and friends, I believe in a fair playing field. However, what Delta (and American and United) are asking for is not a level playing field, but rather it is a veiled attempt…"

Thomas Marangoly, Montgomery, AL

View Your State

Did You Know?

There is almost no overlap in routes between the U.S. legacy carriers and the Gulf carriers. In fact, Gulf carriers compete head to head with the Big 3 on only two routes.
The vast majority of passengers brought to the U.S. by the Gulf carriers come from markets that are barely served by the three U.S. legacy carriers, for example South Asia and the Middle East.
Top U.S. Business such as FedEx, Marriott, and Starbucks have voiced their support for Open Skies agreements. In fact, large business associations such as International Franchise Association, National Restaurant Association, and National Manufacturers Association have also supported Open Skies agreements. These companies and associations account for hundreds of thousands of employees.
In 2014, Gulf carriers delivered 620,000 travelers and $140 million in revenue directly to the U.S. carriers. Approximately 30 percent of all Gulf carrier passengers to the U.S. are directly handed off to U.S. airlines upon their arrival in the U.S. to complete their journey. Around 16 percent are handed off to the three U.S. legacy carriers themselves – a total of 350,000 passengers per year.

Support Open Skies Agreements

Read selected letters of support for Open Skies filed with the U.S. Government below.

Hundreds of business owners, travel employees, and consumers have weighed in to tell the U.S. Government that #OpenSkiesWork.

Voices for Open Skies in Your Communities

Did You Know?