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Norwegian gets go ahead for cheap transatlantic flights from Ireland
Norwegian has finally got the go ahead to launch cheap transatlantic flights from the Republic of Ireland and now hopes its UK-based subsidiary will be given the green light to expand its services from the UK.
Ireland-registered Norwegian Air International, a subsidiary of Norwegian Air Shuttle, intends to launch flights from Cork to Boston and New York after the US Department of Transportation granted it a permit last Friday, despite fierce opposition from US domestic airlines.
The DoT said ‘the law and our bilateral obligations leave us no avenue to reject this application’, adding that Norwegian had offered ‘a number of voluntary practices’ to address concerns voiced by rival airlines that it intended to compete by hiring cheaper crew from Asia.
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny said the decision would ‘do for long-haul travel what Ryanair have done for short-haul travel’.
Norwegian said: "This approval finally makes it possible for us to plan the Cork to the US routes we, and many others, have been looking forward to.
"We now also look forward to our foreign carrier permit for Norwegian Air UK to be approved next.
"We would like to thank the many airports, airlines, industry and business groups, politicians and members of the public in Europe, the US, and Ireland in particular who have offered us their continued support over the last three years.
"While the delays Norwegian have faced have been unfortunate and unnecessary, ultimately the decision now made by the US DoT finally paves the way for greater competition, more flights and more jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
"Above all, it is a victory for millions of passengers who will benefit from more choice and lower fares. We now look forward to working on our plans for Norwegian’s continued expansion in the US, delivering the flights, jobs and economic boost we always promised we would."
Norwegian already flies to the US and the Caribbean from Gatwick but wants permission for its UK subsidiary to expand its transatlantic operations and launch other low-cost long haul flights.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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