New Blog C10-3: Norwegian Air Now Services the U.S.

Back in early December USA Today wrote an article about approving Norwegian Air to start servicing the United States. Pilots, flight attendants, and many of the unions in the aviation industry strongly oppose this decision. The Norwegian Air subsidiary will be stationed in Ireland which makes many in the aviation industry to believe that Norwegian Air is cutting corners. They believe that they are taking advantage of safety and labor laws as well as hiring Asian crew members for "below-market wages". This decision come the the Open Skies between the U.S. and the European Union and Norway. The agreement that was passed by Obama says "'opportunities created by the agreement are not meant to undermine labour standards or the labour-related right and principles'". Some argue that in the end this will be good for the economy because Norwegian Air has already ordered $18.5 billion in Boeing aircraft. Also the new international flights will require more connecting flights domestically but also to expand on some of the international airports.