Etihad Suspends Dallas Route after US Carrier Ends Codeshare Deal
Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways said Thursday it will suspend from next March flights to the US city of Dallas rendered unprofitable after American Airlines ended a codeshare deal with it.
In July, American Airlines said it would no longer share flights with Etihad and Qatar Airways as part of its push against what it views as unfair government subsidies to Middle East carriers.
"The unfortunate decision by American Airlines to terminate a commercial relationship that benefited both carriers has left Etihad with no choice but to suspend flights" between Abu Dhabi and Dallas, Etihad CEO Peter Baumgartner said.
Etihad has operated daily flights to the Texas city since December 2014.
The airline's other 35 flights each week to New York, Los Angeles, Washington and Chicago will remain unaffected.
After American Airline's July announcement, Etihad blasted the decision as "anti-competition and anti-consumer".
Along with fellow US carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, American Airlines has called for the White House to crack down on an alleged $50 billion in state subsidies to carriers in the Middle East.
The US companies say the government financial backing allows the Gulf airlines to illegally compete in the American market, something which the Gulf carriers have strongly denied.
In August, Qatar Airways dropped plans to buy a 10 percent stake in American Airlines.
Source: Agence France Presse
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