Hawaiian Airlines partners with JetBlue to battle Gulf carriers

These are particularly turbulent times for the global aviation industry, particularly the U.S. carriers which are trying to battle it out with the big three Middle East airlines. The challenge posed by Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways to the United States based airlines has created an unprecedented situation forcing them to join hands to fend off the intense competition.

Media reports recently said that a civil war has virtually erupted in the U.S. aviation industry. The rift between the big three U.S. carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, and medium sized airlines in the country has considerably grown. The reports said that Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue Airways have entered into partnership, along with other medium sized airlines, and launched the “US Airlines for Open Skies Coalition” for promoting the benefits of the open skies agreements which the United States is currently holding with over 100 countries across the world.

The Big 3 U.S. carriers are strongly opposing the subsidies being provided to the big three Gulf carriers by the federal government. However, Hawaiian Airlines and JetBlue Airways have decided not to join league with American, United and Delta, and instead protect their own business interests by entering into some type of partnership/understanding with the dominant Middle East carriers.

JetBlue Airways has codesharing pact with all the three Gulf carriers. Even Robin Hayes, CEO of JetBlue Airways acknowledged this year that the airline’s relationship with Emirates Airline has only deepened beyond offering connecting flights to Boston from New York JFK. Hayes said that Emirates Airline will be launching flights to Orlando, JetBlue Airways’ focus city, in September 2015. Hawaiian Airlines, however, doesn’t have any formal partnership with any of the Gulf carrier, but has made extensive efforts t o rapidly expand globally during the past few years.