Release #: 14.94
November 24, 2014
Bipartisan Group of House Members Again Urge Secretary Foxx to Deny NAI
188 Representatives Call on DOT to Reject NAI’s Foreign Air Carrier Permit Application
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l issued the following statement in response to today’s bipartisan appeal, championed by representatives Chris Collins (R-NY) and Albio Sires (D-NJ), calling on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to deny Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) application to fly to and from the United States.
“The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) commends the leadership of the 188 lawmakers, from both sides of the aisle, who raised concerns that NAI’s application would create an unlevel playing field for U.S. airlines.
“The letter stated ‘We urge DOT to deny NAI’s pending application for a foreign air carrier permit. We remain concerned that granting NAI’s application for a foreign air carrier permit would not be in the public interest and would unfairly put domestic airlines at a competitive disadvantage. We also reiterate our belief that the business model of NAI does not comply with the provisions of the U.S.–EU Open Skies Agreement.’
“This flag-of-convenience scheme to avoid tax, regulatory and labor laws is an example of forum shopping and is exactly what Article 17 bis of the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement was put in place to prevent.
“Last week, more than 100 pilots and other airline workers from across the country took to Capitol Hill to urge members to call on the DOT to finish the job and deny NAI’s foreign air carrier permit application. In September, the DOT took an important stand for fair competition and rejected NAI’s request for temporary authorization to fly to and from the United States.”
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world’s largest pilot union, representing more than 51,000 pilots at 30 airlines in the United States and Canada. Visit the ALPA website at www.alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.
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CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703/481-4440 or Media@alpa.org
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