Despite the UAE’s booming aviation sector, major US carriers like Delta and American Airlines do not serve this popular Middle Eastern destination. This is surprising, given the UAE’s rapid growth in air travel and its status as a global transit hub.
The situation stems from long-standing tensions between US airlines and Gulf carriers. The dispute began in 2015 when US airlines claimed Gulf carriers were unfairly receiving government subsidies. These airlines argued that the subsidies totaled over $50 billion in just a decade, giving Gulf carriers an unfair advantage. While the Gulf airlines denied these claims, the controversy led to significant tensions.
In 2016, Delta halted its direct flights to Dubai, citing overcapacity in the US-to-UAE route market. Gulf airlines, particularly Emirates, were dominating the traffic. Delta’s decision was seen as a direct response to these airlines’ heavy influence. American Airlines never served the UAE directly, but it did start flying to Doha in 2022, strengthening its partnership with Qatar Airways. However, it eventually moved this route to Philadelphia after seeing lower-than-expected passenger loads from its initial flights.
The US carriers and Gulf airlines came to a temporary resolution in 2018, when both the US and UAE signed agreements to ensure fair competition. However, this did not lead to a resurgence of US flights to the UAE. Today, only United Airlines serves the region, offering flights from Newark to Dubai. The situation remains largely unchanged, with US airlines focusing on other Middle Eastern routes.
The UAE continues to attract travelers, but US airlines are wary of competing in this highly competitive market, dominated by Gulf giants.
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