Norwegian show sky-high benefits of competition

Last week, the US Department of Transport gave approval to low cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle to operate freely between the UK and the US, writes Joe Gill.

This followed earlier support for the carrier’s connections between Ireland and the US. It marks a significant advance in providing more competition on the fiercely contested North Atlantic air travel market.

There were plenty of opponents to Norwegian being given approval. Incumbents, especially in America, were unhappy at having their patch interfered with. Labour unions who oppose the Norwegian business model lobbied intensely against approval. Yet, the regulators and officials responsible for air travel in the US gave the go-ahead. Consumers should be cheering.