Delta bans Jews from its flights

[Kuciwalker]

So no one can explain why Delta's behavior is unreasonable?

[giblets]

I guess you're supposed to boycott a country that has a bigoted government, unless you're buying oil?

[Asher]

Why should the govmint have a say in how a private company runs its business? </republican>

[Al B. Sure!]

So no one can explain why Delta's behavior is unreasonable?

But they're banning JEWS!!!! THE CHOSEN PEOPLE!!!!

[Cort Haus]

Hopefully KH will be along soon to reassure us that the market is always right.

[giblets]

Or at least, middle eastern governments that discriminate against jews and place restrictions on the market are always right.

[Asher]

Kuci's position is Delta has "no choice" but to abide by the discrimination policy. There are, of course, choices:
1) Political pressure by the US gov't
2) Delta could save face and not service that market

Delta, as far as I know, is not doing anything illegal. Just stupid. It's going to trash their reputation to service a low-volume route.

[giblets]

1) Is the US gov't an appendage of Delta Airlines?
2) So basically, "this is wrong because a lot of people say it's wrong for no reason, making it bad for business"

[Asher]

1) National governments are HEAVILY involved with airlines negotiating landing rights in foreign countries. They're not separate and distinct in practice in this area.
2) It's not wrong, just stupid.

[giblets]

Is political pressure guaranteed to work? How do you know it hasn't already been tried?

[Asher]

Is political pressure guaranteed to work? How do you know it hasn't already been tried?

Nothing is guaranteed, and I don't know either way. Usually that kind of stuff leaks into the public.

For example, Canada's tiff with the UAE: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/world/americas/13briefs-AIRBASE.html

Canada: Airline Dispute Causes Eviction From Arab Air Base

A dispute over airline landing rights has led to Canada’s eviction from an air base in the United Arab Emirates that is an important logistical hub for its military mission in Afghanistan, the Canadian defense minister, Peter MacKay, said Monday. Emirates officials said that continuing the lease was contingent on allowing Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways more than the current three flights each per week. Air Canada opposes additional flights, fearing the two airlines will use them to compete with Canadian air service to Asia, Europe or elsewhere in the Middle East.

International landing rights are essentially political tools.