France, Germany reject European agreement with Qatar

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    Qatar Airways has signed a shady deal with the EU which allows European countries to open their air spaces for Doha without restrictions.

    French expert Clemente Boltier criticized the Open Skies agreement because it increases Qatari trips at the expense of European companies as Qatar Airways can offer more low-cost trips supported by the ruling family. 

    And that’s the crux of the issue, Qatar Airways has an unfair competitive advantage. Owned by Qatar’s ruling family, the  company receives unending financial support from Doha’s government.

    The agreement was signed despite complaints from French Airlines and Lufthansa who protested against tricks by Qatari institutions. 

    No nation should have advantages at the expense of European law, the European Union is investigating Qatar’s illegal competitive practices.

    Qatar Airways will report a second consecutive annual loss this year, its chief executive said on Wednesday, blaming higher fuel costs and unfavorable currency exchange rates, Al Arabiya reported.

    The state-owned airline has rapidly expanded to new destinations since it lost access to 18 Middle East cities in 2017 due to a diplomatic rift between Qatar and some other Arab states.

    “We announced a loss last year and we will announce another loss this year but it doesn’t mean that Qatar Airways is not going to expand or invest,” Akbar Al-Baker told reporters at the ITB travel fair in Berlin.

    “We have a very strong balance sheet - regardless if we are temporarily making losses because of our additional operating costs, and the rising fuel price and the loss of (foreign) exchange.”

    The airline’s financial year ends on March 31.

    Qatar Airways lost access to cities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain in June 2017 when those four countries cut ties with Qatar after accusing it of supporting terrorism.

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