Breakthrough ruling clears way for first Cork transatlantic flights

The first transatlantic flights from Cork are poised to take off later this year after a breakthrough ruling by the US Department of Transportation (DoT).

The DoT issued an order yesterday proposing to grant a foreign carrier permit to Norwegian Air International (NAI), the Irish subsidiary of Norwegian Air Shuttle, to fly to the US. The DoT said NAI appears to meet its normal standards for awarding the permit under the terms of the EU-US Open Skies deal, and there appears to be no legal basis to deny NAI’s application.

The DoT’s ‘show cause order’ invites observations by May 6, with any responses due by May 13.