Appeals to Norwegian Air on Cork-Providence Route

Apr 30, 2018 | Political News

Appeals to Norwegian Air on Cork-Providence Route

Apr 30, 2018 | Political News

Appeals to Norwegian Air on Cork-Providence Route

Apr 30, 2018 | Political News

 

As a member of the European Transport and Tourism Committee, I was actively involved in the political will and commitment to the transatlantic Norwegian Air flights from Cork. I advocated at European level for the licence to be granted to Norwegian Air on the basis of the undertakings made in support of the Open Skies Treaty between the EU and the USA. I have now written directly to Norwegian Air CEO, Bjorn Kjos, to appeal to the airline to reconsider the recent suspension of the Cork – Providence services for winter 2018.

While I understand that airlines must make commercial decisions, I am actively reminding Norwegian Airlines, that the US strongly resisted the granting of the licence and yet it was through massive political and business support in the Munster region that supported the award of the licence, on the basis of a year-round flight transatlantic flights from Cork, as headlined by the
airline.

I appealed to the Norwegian Air CEO to reinstate the Cork- Providence flights and enable bookings as soon as possible for Summer 2019.

In the months leading up to the licence being granted, I worked closely with officials at the US Department of Transportation, European Parliament and the EU Commissioner for Transport, as well as the business community and aviation authorities over a period of 12 months in 2016 to support and drive forward the Norwegian Air and ensure a transatlantic route for Cork Airport.