In a letter published in the August 9 edition of the Irish Times, Capt. Evan Cullen, president of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA), points out that “Norwegian Airlines can easily operate from Cork to the U.S. tomorrow under their previously agreed terms and conditions.”
Cullen notes, “It is extraordinary that so many Irish agencies appear happy to promote the NAI proposal, while ignoring the potential damage it can do to the existing employment standards,” and that “Most surprisingly, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has been an active supporter of NAI’s proposal, straying a long way from its function as the aviation safety regulator.”
The IALPA president also underscores opposition to NAI from the European Cockpit Association and many other European crew and transport unions.