WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the first time in more than 15 years,
executives from the big three network airlines — United, American and Delta —
took the stage during the general session of ASTA's Global Convention, held
here this week.
Dave Hilfman, senior vice president of worldwide sales for
United; Derek DeCross, vice president of global sales for American; and Bob
Somers, vice president of global sales for Delta, participated in a panel
moderated by ASTA Chair Roger Block, president of Travel Leaders Franchise
Group.
“Shame on us for being absent from this conference for so
long,” Somers said. “The importance of travel agencies and the importance of
ASTA has never been lost on us.”
DeCross said that more of American's business comes from
travel agents than any other channels.
“We cannot replicate what you do, nor do we have any desire
to do that,” he said.
Block said he asked the airlines to participate this year
and while they were “surprised,” they were not reluctant. He said they are an
important part of the industry.
“We need to hear from them,” Block said. “We need to engage
with them.”
The executives discussed the Big Three's contention that
Gulf-based airlines Emirates, Etihad and Qatar had received more than $42
billion in subsidies from their governments, undermining fair competition.
"Open Skies agreements were designed to help all
parties and both countries signing it and all the consumers within those
countries,” said Hilfman. "What we found is we’re not competing against
airlines. We're essentially competing against arms of the state.”
DeCross agreed.
“We are 100% ready to compete with any airline,” he said.
“It’s not about that. If we had $42 billion in government subsidies, I could do
a really good job of getting ‘Fly American’ on every sports jersey around the
world.”
Also during Monday’s general session, it was announced the
ASTA Global Convention 2016 will take place in Reno, Nevada, from Sept. 25-28,
2016.