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An audio version of this story.
Delta Air Lines has reached the end of the line with the Fox Theatre.
On Tuesday night, Qatar Airways, a Delta rival, celebrated the upcoming Atlanta-to-Doha flight with a Jennifer Lopez show at the Fox.
Hours after the Lopez performance, Delta announced it would not renew its decades-long sponsorship with the theater.
In a written statement Delta said Qatar Airways engages in “business practices that harm U.S. aviation jobs and violate basic human rights.”
Delta also blasted the other carrier, saying it competes unfairly because it receives billions of dollars in government subsidies.
Airline analyst Robert Mann says Delta appears to be overreacting.
“Maybe they were blindsided by the Fox Theatre. And maybe the Fox Theatre should have inquired a little more closely, but it just seems kind of like taking your toys and leaving the playground, doesn’t it?,” said Mann.
In its own written statement, the Fox thanked Delta for its past support but said hosting that private function was not a violation of its agreement with Delta.
The sponsorship ends in June 2017.
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