As we await the DOT’s critical final ruling on NAI’s application for a foreign air carrier permit, ALPA pilots are teaming up and taking action with a new campaign to urge U.S. government officials to DenyNAI. 

It’s no secret that aviation today is the safest mode of transportation in the world. That incredible feat is due in part to a large coalition of key stakeholders, like ALPA, who work every day with industry and government to ensure that passenger and cargo air transport continues to maintain unprecedented levels of safety. One facet of that work includes keeping a close watch on how technology is being integrated into every aspect of aviation. Today, we are launching #TechTuesday, a new column here on Leadership from the Cockpit, to highlight the vital ways that pilots use technology on each and every flight, often unseen to the average passenger. 

Just as ALPA has been at the forefront of advancing aviation safety for 85 years, the evolution of technology has been a valuable asset for our industry. As unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) gained popularity, ALPA quickly recognized the future potential of these devices and worked with industry stakeholders and government regulators to ensure that the operation of these devices does not jeopardize the safety of our national airspace.

In recent months, UAS, or drones as they are commonly called, have flooded the commercial market. As more people take to the skies with their UAS, pilots around the world are witnessing more of these devices in shared airspace, a problem that ALPA has been working to reduce. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) recent decision to deny Norwegian Air UK’s (NAUK) foreign air carrier permit exemption was certainly a milestone in ALPA’s drive to ensure fair competition for U.S. airlines despite foreign airlines repeat attempts to use unfair business practices, but the fight is far from over.

The key to ALPA’s long-term success in defending a free marketplace? The extraordinary commitment of our members, airline passengers, and air cargo shippers to holding the U.S. government accountable for enforcing U.S. international agreements; and both NAUK and NAI, subsidiaries of Norwegian Air, conflict with U.S. agreements. 

The facts are as follows:  Norwegian Air already has authority to serve the United States. NAUK has not supplied adequate information to DOT about its employment plans so its potential effect on U.S. jobs cannot be evaluated. For these reasons, ALPA opposed NAUK’s application for a foreign air carrier exemption, which would allow it to fly while DOT considers its permit application, and we continue to oppose its application for a permit.

As we celebrate Independence Day and Canada Day, the U.S. Department of Transportation has taken a strong stand in defending a fair marketplace for U.S. airlines and their workers by denying Norwegian Air UK’s (NAUK) foreign air carrier permit exemption application.

NAUK’s employment structure for its pilots and flight attendants is unclear as is its potential effects on U.S. jobs and the international airline industry.

The United States and Canada must continue to enforce their international aviation trade policies to make certain that foreign airlines’ business plans will not threaten fair competition in the future.