Abu Dhabi-Mubasher: The UAE aims to solve its problems with the U.S. airlines which accused the regional state-owned carriers of getting subsidies from their respective governments.
“We hope to resolve such disputes before the end of 2016,” Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said on the sidelines of a conference held in Abu Dhabi.
The U.S. airlines led by Delta Air Lines voiced complaints that the Gulf carriers including Emirates and Etihad Airways are increasing their fleets between the U.S. and countries in Middle East, backed by government subsidies worth $42 billion to wrest business from competitors.
The Middle Eastern airlines repeatedly denied the allegations of subsidies.
All projects in the aviation sector are ongoing, Al Suwaidi said, adding that there will not be any postponement due to lower oil prices.
The UAE has four state-owned carriers and 25 private airlines, he noted.
GCAA is expected to continue its investments in the aviation sector with the same rates of past years, he said.
However, Al Suwaidi referred to a possible decline in the number of passengers if the economic conditions remained unchanged.
