Norwegian Air International Tentatively Approved for U.S. Operations

Norwegian Airlines may be able to fly to destinations in the United States soon due to a DOT decision.

Travelers used to flying with budget Norwegian Airlines may soon see the planes closer to home. The Department of Transportation just tentatively approved on Friday the airline to fly in and out of the United States.

The decision follows years of controversy, as many labor unions and government officials oppose the practices of the airline, which is said to use a “flag of convenience” model similar to what cruise ships use to avoid strict maritime laws. Frustration stems from Norwegian Air International being an Irish subsidiary that hires Asian pilots, a strategy Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) says encourages weak labor laws.

“Its global outsourcing business model exploits terrible labor, tax and regulatory laws in other countries so it can save a few bucks and undercut competition in the aviation marketplace,” he told USA Today.

Airline unions also fiercely oppose the new decision, saying it flies in the face of fair competition.

Travel advocacy groups, though, welcome the decision.

“The decision to tentatively allow Norwegian Air International flying rights to the U.S. is a welcome development in an aviation landscape that often appears increasingly anti-competitive and closed-off,” Jonathan Grella, executive vice president for public affairs at the U.S. Travel Association told The Hill. “Finalizing this decision would be a pro-competition, pro-growth and pro-traveler move that will benefit flyers, workers and the U.S. economy.”

The public is welcome to comment on the issue through May 13, at which point the DOT will make a final decision.

[Photo: Air Norwegian]