6-Dec-2010 12:57 PM
Emirates accuses ATA of making 'misleading and false' statements about export loan support
Emirates accused the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) of making "misleading and false" statements about the benefits of export loan support for purchases of aircraft from aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing (Zawya Dow Jones, 04-Dec-2010). Emirates CEO Tim Clark, in a letter to ATA, stated: "We believe airlines should have open access to financing. By the same token, no airline should be singled out for restricted access to export finance." ATA confirmed receipt of the letter while ATA VP and General Counsel David Berg commented: "Airline balance sheets and market conditions should dictate access to financing, not government subsidy programs."