Dubai: The United States and Europe need Emirates, the world’s biggest airline on international routes, flying to their cities just as much as Emirates needs to fly to their cities, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, said on Sunday.

“They need us, we need them,” Shaikh Ahmad told reporters at the Dubai Airshow.

Emirate and the other Gulf carriers argue they offer a superior, premium service that attracts customers from other legacy carriers operating around the world.

That really builds up loyalty to the airline,” Shaikh Ahmad said.

Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways are facing an increasing level of protectionism in the United States and Europe as large major carriers lobby their governments to block the expansion of the Gulf carriers into their countries.

The Gulf carriers have repeatedly denied the allegations.

Violeta Bulc, the European Commissioner for Transport, is expected in the UAE this week and will meet with the federal General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which is responsible for negotiating air traffic agreements.