Norwegian Air has found an unlikely ally as it looks to expand its low-cost transatlantic service amid criticism from US airline unions.
The Travel Technology Association, which is made up of GDS providers, online travel agencies and other travel technology businesses have lobbied the Department of Transportation in support of Norwegian Air’s bid to increase transatlantic services.
The association said the granting of a permanent license for Norwegian Air will "benefit consumers by providing additional low-cost options for travel to and from the US while creating jobs."
Norwegian Air already runs transatlantic services from Scandinavia to New York and Fort Lauderdale but its current licensing application to the DOT has riled its competitors and airline unions.
Under the application been considered, Norwegian Air wants to establish a subsidiary, called Norwegian Air International, based in Ireland which its critics say is a ruse to circumvent stricter labor laws.
The airline plans to use contract crews provided by a staffing agency in Asia.
The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has opposed the move, saying Norwegian wish to "avoid the laws of Norway to lower the wages and working conditions of air crew."
The union has asked the DOT to throw out the application citing opposition to the plan on both sides of the Atlantic, however the airline said it has complied with the European open-skies agreement which allows airlines to own subsidiaries in a separate European country.
In a move to perhaps appease its critics, Norwegian recently hired 170 US based flight crew with plans to increase this number to 300 during 2014.
