US and European airlines say their Gulf rivals get subsidies
and export credits that allow them to grow at a breakneck pace and take market
share.
“The only thing Dubai is guilty of is providing an
environment that actually supports aviation,” Dubai Airports Co. Chief
Executive Paul Griffiths said in a statement.
“Most governments around the world treat aviation as a
pariah, choking its growth with costly, misdirected regulation, instead of
adopting policies that recognize its considerable socio-economic benefits and
support its sustainable growth.”
The rapid expansion of Emirates — as well as Gulf majors
Etihad of Abu Dhabi and Qatar Airways — has unnerved older airlines and fueled
mutual accusations of protectionism. Many carriers fear Gulf-based superjumbos
will drain their own hubs.
Emirates President Tim Clark told Reuters on Tuesday it was natural
for Emirates to take advantage of export credits if they were provided by the
governments and said only 20 percent of its aircraft purchases were financed
through export credit.
Also this week, Canada’s military lost access to a military
camp, which it used to support troops in Afghanistan, after Ottawa refused to
allow Emirates and Etihad to increase flights to Canada.
Responding to recent comments by Air France’s chief
executive and the growing tensions between the United Arab Emirates and Canada,
Griffiths said claims that Emirates received preferential treatment was
inaccurate.
US and European airlines last week launched a campaign to
change rules that allow airlines such as Emirates, but not themselves, to get
export aid for jets from Airbus and Boeing.
Emirates has repeatedly clashed with Western carriers over
their claims that its fuel bills are subsidized. Emirates repeatedly denies
such claims.
Bloomberg News quoted Air France-KLM Chief Executive
Pierre-Henri Gourgeon on Monday as saying European governments should curb the
expansion of Gulf Arab carriers, including Emirates, to protect European
airlines from what he described as an unfair competitive advantage.
All 130 airlines operating in Dubai are treated equally and
offered the same rates and charges, Griffiths said.
Dubai has built itself into a global aviation hub, with one
of the world’s busiest airports, and is pouring billions of dollars into
growing the sector. Dubai Airports oversees the emirate’s airport projects.
