“Etihad’s argument fundamentally misunderstands the international consensus on the definition of ‘subsidy,’ ” the report said. “Given the company’s dismal financial performance over the last 10 years, if not for the subsidies, Etihad would have gone out of business.”

Emirates, the biggest and oldest of the three, discloses its financial accounts, uses international auditors and posts regular quarterly profits. Etihad and Qatar Airways, on the other hand, have not opened their books to public scrutiny.

Mr. Hogan declined to comment on the accusations raised by his rivals, saying he had not studied them carefully. He acknowledged that the airline had the support of its shareholder, but denied any of that amounted to subsidies. Etihad says it has been profitable since 2011.

“Like any new airline, there was seed money and there was shareholder equity,” Mr. Hogan said.

It is not the first time that rivals or governments have sought to slow the growth of the Persian Gulf airlines. Restrictions against unlimited service from such carriers exist in Canada, Germany, China and South Korea, said Will Horton, an analyst at CAPA Centre for Aviation.

But he said the attempt by American carriers to roll back open sky agreements was “unprecedented.”

“If the U.S. carriers can limit growth, that will impact the Gulf carriers,” Mr. Horton said.

The calls for limits come after the United States government last year opened a Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance facility in Abu Dhabi for passengers flying into the United States, a move that angered airlines like Delta. The facility was requested by the American government but is financed by Abu Dhabi, including salaries and lodging for the officers.

“We manage Etihad with as much discipline as any U.S. carrier,” said James Mueller, a former United executive, who runs the airline’s sales operations.