The next round in the Big 3 vs Big 3 slugathon: 0 – 3 to the visitors
Another round in the unending boxing match between the three biggest US carriers and the three biggest Middle East carriers about alleged subsidies and unfair competition played out on Thursday July 18. In the ring were the self-styled Partnership for Open & Fair Skies, represented by American Airlines CEO Doug Parker and United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, working as a tag-team, against Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker. The match was refereed by both President Donald Trump and vice-president Pence. Bystanders on the airline side were JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes, FedEx CEO and chairman Fred Smith, and Atlas Air CEO Bill Flynn; and White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Director of the National Economic Council Larry Kudlow, and Peter Navarro, Director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy on the US government side. Each were allowed to throw an occasional punch, with or without gloves.
The ring was set up in the White House’s Oval Office.