Clarity needed on US flights - Norwegian Air controversy

THE prospect of Cork having a direct air link to the United States seems to be diminishing by the day. 

The latest spanner in the works has come from a US congressman who has written to the European Commission outlining his objections to the operation of proposed new transatlantic flights from Cork and Shannon to Boston, operated by Irish-based airline Norwegian Air.

Congressman Peter DeFazio, an Oregon-based Democrat, has raised concerns that Ireland is being used as a flag of convenience to allow the airline to sidestep labour laws and hire low-paid crew and pilots under Asian contracts.