Emirates Boss Pushes Back on Delta’s Open Skies and 9/11 Claims
Photo Credit: Portion of a statement from Delta Air Lines. CNN
Skift Take
It's not likely the U.S. carriers will win this round. In addition to challenges from the Gulf, they are dealing with Norwegian Air's low-cost challenges for trans-Atlantic service. While not all Americans love the Gulf carriers, they do love an airline bargain.
The Open Skies slugfest playing out on CNN's 'Quest Means Business' continued today with a new statement by Delta Air Lines and an interview with Emirates' President and CEO Tim Clark.
What had already been a contentious debate between U.S. carriers Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines and their rivals in the Gulf region, Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways, was heightened on Monday when Delta CEO Richard Anderson told CNN's Richard Quest that it was ironic Gulf airlines were complaining about post-9/11 financial benefits U.S. airlines received since the attacks of 9/11 originated in Arabia.
Today, Emirates' Clark appeared on CNN and said of Anderson's turn of phrase, "I'm not angry. I'm a little bit concerned that Mr. Anderson crossed the line with what he said in regard to 9/
