Norwegian airline admits director is not a member of pilots' union

The airline in dispute with a pilots’ union over a proposed Cork-Boston route admits its director of flight operations is not a member of the organisation, as it had originally claimed.

Norwegian Airlines this week sent a letter to Cork TDs taking issue with the claims of Captain Evan Cullen, president of the Irish Airline Pilots Association.

Capt Cullen accused Norwegian of using Cork “as a pawn” in the airline’s battle with the US Department of Transport (USDOT).

The airline sent a legal letter to Capt Cullen asking him to withdraw his claims.

Capt Cullen claims Norwegian could use the existing permits it has from USDOT to fly the route, but is instead attempting to secure a permit for its subsidiary, Norwegian Air International.

IALPA claims this is because NAI uses Asian crews on contracts which pay less than their European and American counterparts. The letter sent by Norwegian disputing this was jointly signed by its CEO Tore Jenssen and NAI director of flight operations, Godfrey Higgins.

Mr Higgins also claimed to be a member of IALPA.

“We can assure you that Mr Cullen is not representing the voice of the several full-paying IALPA members in NAI’s ranks,” it said.

However, despite initially rejecting Capt Cullen’s claim that Mr Higgins is not a member of IALPA, Norwegian yesterday conceded that he is no longer in the union.

“Mr Higgins had been a member of IALPA for a number of years but has now been advised that an ongoing monthly payment is for an IALPA insurance scheme, not membership fees — we are happy to clarify this distinction,” the airline said.

“However, the bigger issue remains that IALPA have voiced unfounded allegations and opposition to new transatlantic routes that would bring significant benefits to Ireland.

“These routes have widespread support from the EU, the Irish Government, the aviation authorities, airports, and the Irish public — it is disappointing that IALPA have chosen to swim against the tide of opinion,” the statement read.

The airline has now sent a legal letter to Capt Cullen asking that he withdraw his claims that the airline hires its staff under Asian contracts. Norwegian says it is committed to only using EU/US flight crews on the route.

It has also taken issue with a comment he made about how the letter from the airline this week was the first IALPA had heard of this commitment. Norwegian told this newspaper of this commitment in an article published in January, which also quoted Capt Cullen.