Sheikh tells US airlines ball is in their court if they want customers to return

Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum has a simple message for airlines accusing his Dubai-based carrier of taking away their passengers: improve your offering and they'll come back.

US airlines calling on their government to limit the expansion of Persian Gulf rivals into their home market underestimated the competition when an air-services agreement was signed with the United Arab Emirates in 1999, Sheikh Ahmed said. Instead of turning back time, the likes of American Airlines Group Inc, United Continental Holdings Inc and Delta Air Inc should focus on providing a better service, he said.

"Offer the best to the passengers and people will fly with you," Sheikh Ahmed said in an interview at his office at Dubai International Airport, which overtook London Heathrow as the world's top hub by international passengers last year. "They don't mind paying maybe an extra penny to fly if your service is good, at the end of the day it is all about service."