JetBlue latest U.S. airline to back Bombardier in fight with Boeing
MONTREAL — JetBlue is the latest U.S. airline to back Bombardier in its trade dispute with Boeing, ahead of the expected imposition of preliminary export duties on shipments to the United States.
The airline has urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to deny Boeing’s petition, saying imposing tariffs on the CSeries would harm competition and result in higher airfares.
Even though JetBlue neither flies nor has ordered Boeing or Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) planes, chief executive Robin Hayes said Boeing’s petition seeking countervailing and anti-dumping duties are a threat to the airline’s ability to innovate and provide benefits to passengers.
“JetBlue’s consistent advocacy for unfettered free market competition and access requires us to urge the Commission to reject the petitions and permit free and unfettered competition in the aircraft manufacturing sector as JetBlue brought to the domestic airline sector,” he wrote in a letter dated Sunday to the commission.