NJ Republican lines up with unions against Obama airline decision

A request by a new international airline to fly to the US pits the Obama administration against organised labour and its Republican ally: New Jersey Rep Frank LoBiondo. The chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, LoBiondo and others introduced legislation to prevent Norwegian Air International from flying to the US. The lawmakers contend that the airline's business model violates labour protections embedded in the US-EU agreement that ended most barriers to trans-Atlantic flights. "It's an airline set up to put American jobs at risk," said LoBiondo. The bill would prevent the DoT from approving Norwegian's certification. The agency has given a tentative OK with a final decision expected later this month. "This is the future of the airline industry on the table," said the president of the AFL-CIO's transportation trades department. <br/>