Contrary to your Jan. 4 editorial (“Who’s afraid of Virgin America?”), it is not in our national interest to abolish all limits on foreign control of any U.S. airline by any foreign entity. Control of a U.S. carrier by a foreign airline or government opens the door to numerous harmful consequences.
First is the likely negative impact on U.S. airlines and their workers. A foreign-owned carrier will divert traffic and jobs from existing U.S. carriers, particularly on international routes, where a foreign airline is likely to feed traffic to its sister carrier rather than develop its own routes. Even on domestic routes, any jobs created could well be at the expense of workers at U.S. airlines.
America’s maritime industry is virtually extinct because when we opened the doors to foreign maritime operators and owners, they invaded our entire maritime system, like kudzu choking out all native vegetation.
Second, foreign control of U.S. airlines poses a national security issue, although not the one you identified. The real issue is whether there will be enough aircraft available for the Civil Reserve Air Fleet during national emergencies, such as the Persian Gulf war. A panel of industry experts concluded that this is a serious concern that must be addressed in considering a change in current ownership and control rules.
Also, contrary to your assertion, there is no shortage of U.S. capital to fund U.S. airlines with sound business plans.
Foreign control of U.S. airlines poses as many problems as foreign control of U.S. editorial pages.
