Klobuchar and Coats have raised concerns about Norwegian Air’s attempts to circumvent regulations that would put U.S. carriers at a competitive disadvantage and urged the President to deny the airline’s application for exemption
Klobuchar, Coats and a bipartisan group of senators also recently introduced an amendment that would prohibit the Department of Transportation from approving Norwegian Air’s permit unless the airline complies with existing protections
WASHINGTON, DC – After a push from U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Dan Coats (R-IN), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has blocked a request from Norwegian Air International to begin flights to and from the U.S. before the permitting process is complete. The DOT is still reviewing Norwegian Air’s permit application that would allow the carrier to operate in the U.S. Klobuchar and Coats have raised concerns about Norwegian Air’s attempts to circumvent regulations that would put U.S. carriers at a competitive disadvantage and urged the President to deny the airline’s application for exemption. Klobuchar and Coats along with Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) also recently introduced an amendment that would prohibit the DOT from approving Norwegian Air’s permit unless the airline complies with existing protections.
“Norwegian Air is threatening to undercut American carriers by attempting to get out of important rules that are designed to preserve competition and ensure that all airlines are competing on a level playing field,” Klobuchar said. “This action will prevent Norwegian Air from operating flights to and from the United States before the permitting process is complete, and I’ll keep pushing to ensure that U.S. airlines aren’t unfairly disadvantaged by foreign competitors.”
“Norwegian Air’s efforts would put U.S. airlines and employees at a competitive disadvantage,” Coats said. “As the administration conducts its full review of Norwegian Air’s application, I will continue to fight to ensure that no carrier is above the rules or receives a foreign air carrier permit unless it complies with the provisions of the Open Skies Agreement.”
U.S. law under the U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement requires the DOT to apply a public interest standard when reviewing and approving foreign air carrier permits to ensure that U.S. air carriers are at least on an equal footing with foreign carriers.
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