Washington, DC – Norwegian Air International (NAI) has filed comments with the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) confirming its support for the European Commission’s views that parties to the US-EU Open Skies Agreement cannot unilaterally deny NAI’s application to serve the US on the basis of Article 17 of the agreement.

The Commission’s views were expressed in a high level meeting between the US government and Commission officials, where the Commission was asked its views on “whether a party to the Open Skies Agreement could unilaterally deny an application of the other party based on the so-called ‘social dimension’ provision of the agreement.”

That stance is a key argument by NAI’s opponents who have been urging the USDOT to deny NAI’s application.

“We commend Secretary Foxx in seeking the Commission’s comments on this pertinent issue – and the Commission for its sound judgment that is consistent with established legal norms of treaty interpretation, the Joint Declaration of the Chairmen of the US and EU delegations who led the negotiation of the historic Open Skies Agreement, and international law,” said Asgeir Nyseth, CEO of Norwegian Air International.

“We look forward to DOT promptly granting NAI’s application to bring air service to the US, so consumers can finally begin realizing the benefits of competition – including lower fares,” he said.

NAI’s application for authority to fly to the US has reportedly been pending with DOT for almost six months.

08/20/2014