The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted Norwegian UK (London Gatwick) a Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP) after finalizing its tentative decision announced in July this year.
The DOT said in its Final Order issued on Friday, September 23, that arguments posited by the Air Line Pilots Association, Allied Pilots Association, and Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (collectively, "the Labor Parties") following the July Show Cause were insufficient to warrant denying the Norwegian (Oslo Gardermoen) unit its FACP.
As previously reported, the unions had again targeted the lack of information in Norwegian UK's application regarding its proposed labour practices as well as concerns over the impact that Brexit will have on the treaty enabling Norwegian UK's eligibility to serve the United States i.e. the EU-US Open Skies agreement.
"The Labor Parties have offered no arguments not already considered, and rejected, by the Department," the DOT said adding that to placate the Labor Parties' concerns, Norwegian Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bjorn Kjos made commitments with respect to Norwegian UK's hiring and employment practices.
"Against this background and in the circumstances presented, we have decided to grant the request of Norwegian UK for a foreign air carrier permit."
Until this announcement, Norwegian's UK-US services have been carried out by its Norway-based mother carrier (London Gatwick-originating flights) and its Irish unit, Norwegian Air International (Dublin International) (plying flights from Belfast International and Edinburgh albeit using B737 metal operated by Norwegian itself on some of these flights).
