### THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON , D
. C
. 20590



### The Honorable Sam Graves U.S . House of Representatives Washington, D C 205 15 Dear Congressman Graves: April 04, 2 014



### T hank you for yo ur letter rega rdin g the applic atio n ofNorwegian Air International Limited (NA I) for authority to conduct U.S. services. Given that a number of interested parties have filed r espons ive ple adings to NAI's app li cati on and thi s matter is currently pending before the Department, I am sure you und erstand th at I cannot comment on the merits ofNAI's application. I ass ure yo u , however, that we will g iv e full and careful co n s ideration to a ll of the pl eadings filed o n th e record before we reach a determination in this matter. As i s our standard practice, I am placing a copy of yo ur letter and my response in Do cke t DOT-OST-20 13-0204, as a co ntact outsi de the record ofthi s case. Yo u may track the progress ofthis case and v iew the publicl y availabl e documents filed in the d ocket by access ing the Federal Do cket Management System at www. reg ul atio n s.gov a nd searching for Docket DOT
-OST-2013-0204 . I hope thi s informa ti o n i s helpful. Si nc ere ly ,

Anthony R. FoxxSAM GR A VE S 6TH DISTR ICT, MISSOURI
1415 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202) 22!;-7041

The Honorable Anthony Foxx Secretary Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Secretary Foxx: 

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## J3([ 20515-2506 February 25, 2014 11724 N W PLAZA CIRCLE, SUITE 900 KANSAS CI TY, MO 64153 (816) 792-3976
41 1 JULES STREET. ROOM 111

ST. JOSEPH, MO 64501 (816) 74!Hl800
906 BROADWAY, P.O. Box 364 HANN I BAL, MO 63401

(573) 221-3400

I am writing in regards to the application for an exemption and foreign air carrier permit by Norwegian Air International Limited (NAI). I respectfully request that NAI's application is carefully scrutinized to ensure its compliance with the United States- European Union Air Transport Agreement (US-EU Bilateral Agreement) and federal statutes. As you know, NAI is a subsidiary of Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS), which currently operates flights across Europe. Despite NAS being a Norwegian - based air carrier, this new subsidiary is seeking a certificate to operate as an Irish air carrier. It is also my understanding that NAI plans to hire pilots and flight crews through a Singapore based company. The US-EU Bilateral Agreement prohibits the establishment of flags of convenience to evade labor protections. While NAI does not yet have an Irish air carrier certificate, it is my understanding that the subsidiary is being established in that nation to avoid Norwegian labor and social laws. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is authorized to exempt foreign air carriers from certain federal statutes, but only if the exemption is in the public interest. The arrangement being pursued by NAI has raised concerns within the U.S. airline industry. Specifically, both pilots unions and airline carriers are concerned that NAI will provide transatlantic flights under the Norwegian brand in direct competition with U.S
. carriers; all while being certified in Ireland and using pilots and flight crews from Singapore. Commercial aviation is a critical segment of our economy and like many other industries, U.S. carriers simply want to have a level playing field when competing in the global marketplace. When the DOT begins reviewing NAI's application, it is my hope that the agency will ensure its compliance with the US - EU Bilateral Agreement and that an exemption for NAI is in the U.S. public interest. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. Please contact Jack Ruddy of my staff at 202-225 - 7041 or jack.ruddy@mail.house.gov should you have any questions or require additional information.

Sam Graves Member of Congress 

# s 10-140304-013 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

### U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WAS HIN GT ON, DC 20515-2506 PUBLI C D OCU M E N T OF FICIA L B U SIN E SS



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