AP sources: US, Emirates near deal to solve air subsidy spat

WASHINGTON — The United States and the United Arab Emirates are nearing a deal to resolve a years-old spat over alleged government subsidies to Emirati airlines that the major U.S. airlines claim tilt the competition against them.

Four individuals familiar with the negotiations tell The Associated Press that Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will agree to voluntarily open up their accounting books, which the U.S. airlines say obscure billions in unfair subsidies. The airlines will also assert that they currently have no plans to add additional flights to the United States from Europe or other destinations outside the United Arab Emirates.

The individuals say the deal will closely mirror one reached in January between the U.S. and Qatar. They weren’t authorized to discuss the pending deal and requested anonymity.