Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker has accused the Big Three US airlines (American, Delta and United) of making "a transparent attempt to block new competition and limit consumer choice."

Commenting on the ongoing US open skies debate and the allegations of government subsidies to Gulf airlines, Al Baker, addessing a press conference in Washington DC, refuted the claims as "baseless".

"US Open Skies Agreements are about offering choice - the ability to fly with the airline you prefer, to regions which are under-served by US carriers," said Al Baker. "The Big Three want to restrict choice. World travellers would suffer if they succeed."

Al Baker used the forum to clarify Qatar Airways' position, debunk accusations of subsidy and demonstrate the broad public benefits of the existing open skies agreements.

He also noted that open skies agreements go well beyond the interests of the Big Three. He cited numerous American companies and groups, which support the agreements, including US airports, travel and trade groups, consumer groups and other US airlines.

"Qatar Airways offers important services to the United States and many American interests recognise our value. We serve markets in the Gulf region and Indian Subcontinent that US carriers do not serve," Al Baker added.

Qatar Airways passengers support local economies in the US. In 2014 alone, the airline brought 248,000 visitors to the US and made a significant contribution of $900 million to US economies and employment, all thanks to open skies. Qatar Airways currently operates over $19 billion worth of direct-purchase Boeing aircraft with future deliveries of another $50 billion to come.

Al Baker said: "The Big Three do not compete with us on a single non-stop route. The beneficial exchange of culture and commerce made possible by the US-Qatar open skies agreement must not be blocked by the Big Three merely because we have chosen to serve markets that they have ignored."

Al Baker also met with government officials and prepared for upcoming US launches to Los Angeles, Boston, and Atlanta during his visit.

Meanwhile, Jill Zuckman, chief spokesperson for the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies, said Al Baker had failed to answer questions on subsidy.

In a statement, he said: “Akbar Al Baker said he was coming to the US to ‘open the books,’ but all we heard today was more name calling and denials. It’s unfortunate that he won’t answer serious questions about the $17.5 billion in subsidies and unfair benefits that Qatar Airways has taken from its government in order to undermine fair competition, which is a serious violation of open skies.

"Altogether, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates have received more than $42 billion in subsidies from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in their quest to dominate international aviation to the detriment of the US aviation system, American jobs and consumers. The harm from their actions is real, which is why we are asking the Obama Administration to request formal consultations and a freeze on additional routes,” Zuckman said in the statement. - TradeArabia News Service