The three big US carriers have now taken aim at the US government in their fight against the growing influence of the Gulf carriers.
US airline lobby group the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies accused the government of violating a law against taxpayer-funded air travel for government employees.
The General Services Administration awarded separate federal travel contracts to JetBlue to carry employees on routes to Dubai and to Milan.
The lobby group says this is merely a smokescreen as JetBlue does not have long haul capability and the contracts will be ultimately operated by partner airline, Emirates.
"We view it as a violation of the Fly America Act. It’s a ‘screw you’ to Congress," said spokeswoman Jill Zuckman.
JetBlue countered with a statement: "GSA awards contracts that deliver the best value to the U.S. taxpayer and JetBlue is honored to have this traffic with our codeshare partner."
The US Transportation Department has still yet to formerly weigh in on the issue of whether the Gulf carriers’ state subsidies violate the current Open skies agreement.
The GSA contract awards will only likely make any compromise more difficult than ever.
"We find it frustrating that while we’re trying to find a resolution and a path forward to level the playing field (with the gulf carriers), the GSA is awarding additional services on Emirates," said American Airlines vice president Howard Kass.
