Air Berlin has followed British Airways and Iberia by leaving the Association of European Airlines (AEA) in the ongoing row over the rise of the Gulf-based airlines.
The German carrier, which is 29 per cent owned by Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, said it was leaving AEA because it saw “no future in a protectionist aviation policy in Europe”.
IAG sister brands BA and Iberia cancelled membership of AEA last week in a row with other members of the association over the threat posed by the fast-expanding Gulf carriers: Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways.
Air Berlin CEO Stefan Pichler said: “We see no future in a protectionist aviation policy in Europe. On the contrary, the liberalisation of bilateral agreements will promote further consolidation and new innovative business models, thereby benefiting all passengers.
“With its current focus and representation of interests, AEA is not fulfilling these ideas, but allowing itself to be driven by airlines which desperately try to erect a new wall around Europe"
AEA has responded to Air Berlin’s decision by claiming it is not protectionist.
“It is highly incorrect to portray AEA as a protectionist association,” said the association in a statement. “For over 60 years, AEA has stimulated fair market liberalisation.”
The three major US carriers - American, Delta and United - are complaining that the Gulf-based carriers have received $42 billion in subsidies from their governments over the last decade. They are also urging US authorities to stop further expansion by the three Gulf carriers of flights to the US.
Air France KLM and Lufthansa have also joined the call to stop the Gulf airlines from expanding further within Europe.