US Court rejects union attempt to overturn Norwegian's permit

A US appellate court rejected an attempt by four employee unions to overturn a foreign air carrier permit awarded to Norwegian Air International, dealing a severe blow to labour’s 1.5-year-old campaign to block the low-cost-carrier’s so-called “flag of convenience” business model. The order on 11 May by the US Court of Appeals shifts the unions’ legal battle against flags-of-convenience carriers to Congress. The US House of Representatives has proposed in a reauthorisation bill for the FAA to make foreign air carrier permits contingent on proving they would serve in the public interest. The Air Line Pilots Association, International, one of four unions that challenged Norwegian’s permit, is now calling on the Senate to insert the same provision in their version of the FAA reauthorisation bill. “While we are disappointed, ALPA is no less determined in calling for the United States to enforce its trade agreements and ensure US workers have a fair opportunity to compete internationally,” says Tim Cannoll, ALPA president. ALPA’s opposition to Norwegian Air International’s operations in the USA began more than five years ago.<br/>