NORWEGIAN AIR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
July 25, 2015
On June 1, 2015, Norwegian Air International Limited (“Norwegian”) filed a motion for expedited treatment with DOT in regard to its longstanding application for a foreign air carrier permit. Citing the average processing time for similar applications to be 55 days, Norwegian stated that it has been over 15 months since its application was filed. In addition, the United States has an international legal obligation under the U.S.-EU (Iceland, Norway) Air Transport Agreement of 2011 to “grant appropriate authorizations and permissions with minimum procedural delay.”
Norwegian went on to note that it saw no reason for DOT to delay granting its permit application as Norwegian has committed to use only European and U.S. pilots and crews on transatlantic flights (except if compelled by extraordinary and unforeseen operational reasons). Norwegian emphasized that its addressing the pilot issue should resolve any concerns raised by opponents to its application.
Among those filing comments in opposition were Scandinavian Airline System, Allied Pilots Association, Air Line Pilots Association, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, European Cockpit Association, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and Transport Workers Union of America. Comments in support were filed by Federal Express, the U.S. Travel Association and the Port of Oakland.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).