Etihad CEO flays western airlines on export credit

(The National Conversation, Abu Dhabi, 28 November 2010) European and North American airlines do not have a "colonial right to rule the world", says the chief executive of Etihad Airways. His comments came as an OECD decision looms before the end of the year about a review of global rules controlling the availability to airlines of export credit assurance, an important source of funds in the industry for buying aircraft. Last month's What's New covered this face off between aircraft manufactureres and airlines over ECA subsidies. The European Regions Airline Association has also waded into this controversy.