The three largest U.S. airlines contend the three fast-growing airlines based in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are receiving such massive government subsidies that their American rival airlines will be forced out of the market in time without U.S. intervention. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines and their unions are urging the U.S. government to open negotiations with the governments of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates over their alleged financial support to Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. Representatives from the U.S. airlines said, during a press conference in Washington, D.C., that the Gulf carriers have received $42 billion in subsidies since 2004, making it impossible for U.S. airlines to compete. “We are all about competing,” said Mark Anderson, senior vice president, United Airlines. “We want the competition, but this is an example of unfair competition. Just like any other industry, our consumers tell us they do want competition but they also want fair competition. And we are not competing against air carriers, but we are competing with governments and government treasuries and that is why we have requested our government to get involved.”