Regarding James Zogby's opinion article US air carriers shamefully playing on anti-Arab bias (April 4), there is no defence for the massive airline subsidisations coming out of two countries on the Arabian Peninsula – Qatar and the UAE – that are distorting the international aviation marketplace and threatening American jobs despite the writer's attempt to distract from that fact.
Since 2004, these countries have violated Open Skies agreements by providing over $40 billion (Dh146.9bn) in subsidies to their three international carriers. The result has been a systematic devastation of airlines across the globe through an artificial lowering of seat price and a resulting distortion of the market.
Americans for Fair Skies has a clear purpose and fact set. Race, nationality and ethnicity are not factors. This is about a massive and unprecedented trade violation that is threatening a critical component of the US economy and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it creates. And yes, it is undertaken by Middle East governments. The writer suggests that pointing out the location and financial circumstances of these governments is “troubling”. What I find troubling is that he would make such a leap, engaging in a smear campaign that is beneath the notable organisation that he represents.
Further, the writer’s sudden “expertise” in international aviation is puzzling, and questionable, given that he demonstrates little knowledge of the fact-based evidence and instead relies on personal attacks and tired spin rather than addressing the current evidence available to the public. This isn’t about who is doing the subsidising. It’s about what the subsidising is doing to a vital American industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it provides.
Captain Lee Moak, President of Americans for Fair Skies and a former Delta Boeing 767 pilot and former president of the Air Line Pilots Association, International
Pets are not luggage, but is there an option?
I'm sorry pet owners, but even though I love animals I, as a person who is paying thousands to go on a flight, would not be able sit in a cabin with animals without having to take very strong antihistamines (It's time to change flight procedures for precious cargo, April 9. That's because I am highly allergic to cats and most dog breeds, which might trigger an asthma attack.
I am sure I wouldn’t be the only one. Sadly, those with pets don’t understand the discomfort and a potentially life-threatening situation pet allergies can induce.
Pets are members of the family, but I find it surprising that people seem to be happy to see another person suffer considerably, over the perceived comfort of their animals. I would call for better and less costly conditions to the hold, but never in the cabin.
Oliver John Kerr, Dubai
I agree that our pets are members of the family who deserve better treatment. I do hope that airline policies will change soon so that we will be allowed to bring our pets in the cabin, rather than dispatch our poor little friends in the hold.
Valerio De Rossi, Dubai
Nobody likes his or her pet flying cargo. But what if you have a child who is allergic to cats and dogs and has to sit next to an animal for hours? That’s not good either.
Astrid Stevanovic, Abu Dhabi
Airlines shouldn’t charge so much, because that leads people to ditch their pets when they leave. However, I would strongly object to having pets in the cabin. Toileting problems would be vile. And I certainly don’t want to be eating food with a handbag dog sat right on top of me in the confined seating in economy.
Sylvia Moore, UK
Hard to fathom Spiderman’s goal
I wonder why Alain Roberts keeps climbing towers and buildings ('Spiderman' aims for new high, April 8). Is it an addiction of some sort? Or does he get paid to climb? I see very little value or importance in such an escapade. Risking your life this way is not very clever or interesting.
Brigitte Tibet von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
Photos don’t show real picture
I appreciate the photos of Emirati women you have posted on Facebook (Steve McCurry's 7 Princesses: A portrait of the strength and character of Emirati women, April 8). The women are all very beautiful. But how do these pictures show the strength of Emirati women, when they have all been cherry-picked for simply posing? A candid shoot in everyday situations would have been so much nicer.
Sanchita Guha, India
