Perhaps aiming to head off any future restrictions from the ‘America First’ Trump Administration, Etihad Airways says it does not plan any more US expansion.
"We are not flying into any further points in the USA. We are very comfortable with our American network," CEO James Hogan told Bloomberg TV.
Etihad, along with Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates have taken flak from the US airline industry and unions over perceived unlawful state subsidies which critics claim is a violation of the Open Skies policy.
Etihad still maintains it adheres to the spirit of the Open Skies aviation treaty and is ready to argue its case should action be forthcoming.
"In regards to how that’s addressed moving forward, we have to wait and see. You can only work with the issues that are in front of you. If those issues are raised again we will tackle them."
Etihad’s US network is good for tourism, local jobs and the US economy, Hogan was again keen to point out.
"It’s about connectivity, about jobs, about economic contribution. It shouldn’t be about politics."
The airline currently serves New York, Washington, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
