11.20.14 – Flight Attendant Union Renews Opposition to Norwegian Air Application

November 20, 2014 (FORT WORTH, TX) – In response to a speech given today in Washington, DC by the CEO of Norwegian Air, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants reiterated its opposition to that company’s business model and urged the US Department of Transportation to finally and completely reject its application for a foreign air carrier permit.

“NAI is attempting to subvert provisions of the Open Skies Agreement that guarantee labor protections in the transatlantic market,” said APFA National President Laura Glading. “Their business model – which relies on a ‘flag of convenience’ strategy – is a sham. It threatens all workers in the busiest aviation market on the planet and as the President of APFA as well as a JFK-based flight attendant, I consider the company’s actions an attack on all our livelihoods. I’ve urged [DOT] Secretary Foxx directly to deny the application and I renew that call today.”

APFA has taken an active role advocating against Norwegian Air International’s application for a foreign air carrier permit. In an April letter to Sec. Foxx, Glading wrote, “It is clear that by operating as an Irish airline, despite having no intention to fly any routes to or from Ireland, NAI is attempting to skirt the labor laws of its home country. By contracting with Southeast Asian staffing companies, NAI is further attempting to undercut the wages and working conditions of its flight crews. As such, NAI’s business strategy violates both the letter and the spirit of the US-EU Open Skies Agreement.”

APFA also strongly supports the efforts of members of Congress, including Reps. Chris Collins and Albio Sires who are circulating a congressional sign-on letter, and Reps. Peter DeFazio and Lynn Westmoreland who sponsored legislation blocking the application. Finally, the union has also called on its membership to voice their opposition by communicating their concerns directly to members of Congress and Sec. Foxx.