'I'm not afraid of anybody,' says Lufthansa boss as Gulf row escalates

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The open skies war against Gulf carriers has spread from the US to Europe, where the EU is in discussions before it lays out an aviation strategy later this year. The French and the Germans are now becoming increasingly vocal at a political level – although IAG has waded in on the other side, against protectionism. Emirates, meanwhile, is considering legal action against the US big three.

But if you are only going to read one of these articles today, this Arabian Business interview with Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr is the one. Arguing – in a way some of the US carriers might struggle to do – that Lufthansa can and does compete on product with the Gulf carriers, he notes there are other issues at stake. And on the question of Lufthansa’ pilot strikes, his Plan B for union negotiations will be to hire Qatar chief Akbar Al Baker… Now that would be worth watching.