The U.S. Travel Association looks at the Open Skies issue from the standpoint of inbound tourism while Delta, United, American and their unions view it from the perspective of their companies and unions. They come to diametrically opposing positions.
With tomorrow's air travel markets moving away from the US and Europe, this is Open Skies kerfuffle is far more than "growing pains" for the global aviation industry.
The U.S. carriers aren't sure how to battle the Gulf airlines, so they're turning to government for cover. They should be thinking more about the consumer.
What can we say? Yellow and Gold make Green. With the high demand to attend St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Dublin, New York and Boston, this announcement could not be better timed.