[petter380]

Utrolig godt skrevet artikkel i Aviation Intelligence Reporter March 2015 om "Fair Protectionism"

One of the remarkable features of the aviation industry is that we never say what we
mean. The Freedoms of the Sky, for example, are restrictions. The one thing that is not
shared in a code share is the code. Open sky treaties prohibit operations on certain
routes. We hold summits underground.

So, when airlines come out saying that they want to ensure competition is preserved and
enhanced, you can be sure that enhanced competition is the last thing they want. What
they want preserved is the status quo ante, not the status quo. When airlines seek ‘fair
competition’, or ‘enhanced competition’, they mean protectionism.

The most recent example of this wonderful way with words comes from the legacy
carriers of the USA. They have retained fancy Washington lawyers to put together a
dossier outlining what they claim to be US$40 billion of subsidies the Gulf carriers
receive. Things sound much more serious when they are in a dossier.

(...)

Not surprisingly, the Gulf carriers have stood their ground. They point out that the issue
of market share might, might, have something to do with service levels. They also noted
that the US carriers are not above taking advantage of government largesse themselves.