Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
25. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made any representations on behalf of Norwegian Airlines efforts to secure a licence from the US Department of Transport to fly from the EU to the US. [21475/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra27. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made any representations on behalf of Norwegian Airlines efforts to secure a licence from the US Department of Transport to fly from the EU to the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21592/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 27 together.
These questions relate to the application by Norwegian Air International to the US authorities for a foreign air carrier permit to operate flights into the US.
Norwegian Air International (NAI) was granted an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and an Operating licence by the Irish Aviation Authority and the Commission for Aviation Regulation respectively on 12 February. These licences were issued in accordance with EU legislation. NAI has applied to the US Department of Transportation for a permit to operate flights from the EU to the US in accordance with the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. Under the Open Skies agreement, the parties have agreed to the reciprocal recognition of regulatory determinations made by the other side.
On 13 February I wrote to my counterpart in the US, Secretary Foxx, advising him that NAI had received an Air Operator Certificate and an Operating Licence from the competent licensing authorities in Ireland and indicating my support for NAI's application for a US foreign air carrier permit.
