Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker pressed the aviation industry's largest trade group to reiterate its support of liberal air travel, calling protectionism a threat to aviation in a jab at U.S. airlines. Baker in a statement called upon the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to address the flying freedoms of airlines. The plea comes as U.S. airlines are attempting to persuade their government to alter "Open Skies" agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which they say gave more than $40 billion in subsidies to Gulf airlines, distorting competition. (Reuters)