> Surely you can recognize the merit in keeping domestic control of transportation
That doesn't seem entirely self-evident, and that's part of the subject of this discussion thread.
There are already extensive regulations on the operation and safety of airlines, most of them likely for good reason. Why, above and beyond those regulations, do we additionally need to limit ownership?
If the answer is "handwave handwave safety handwave security", then I'd point out that there are dozens of other industries even more ingrained into the US where someone looking to do damage could do far more harm than they ever could with an airline, and none of those industries have prohibitions on foreign ownership.
well, you wouldn't want foreign airlines giving their governments information about military and VIP movements, letting their intelligence services intercept and tamper with shipped packages, maybe fit planes on interesting routes with surveillance equipment.
> you wouldn't want foreign airlines giving their governments information about military and VIP movements
Just how magical is the the extra 2% that takes one from an "OK/freiendly" 49% foreign shareholder to a 51% (or 50% +1?) "oh no, intel stealer!". I sort-of understand the control argument, but not the secrecy argument you are making doesn't hold up.
it was tongue in cheek, but yeah, that 2% (or .01%) to go from junior partner to running the show is pretty magical. (ask a game theorist, or Al Gore!)
That doesn't seem entirely self-evident, and that's part of the subject of this discussion thread.
There are already extensive regulations on the operation and safety of airlines, most of them likely for good reason. Why, above and beyond those regulations, do we additionally need to limit ownership?
If the answer is "handwave handwave safety handwave security", then I'd point out that there are dozens of other industries even more ingrained into the US where someone looking to do damage could do far more harm than they ever could with an airline, and none of those industries have prohibitions on foreign ownership.