The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) says it has
entered into an agreement over jobs with new low-cost carrier Norse Atlantic
Airways.
Norse, which launched earlier this year and counts Norwegian Air founder Bjorn Kjos as an investor, plans to begin offering flights between
Europe and North America in 2022, filling a void left when Norwegian permanently
ceased long-haul operations in a restructure brought on by the pandemic.
The agreement with BALPA covers the airline’s proposed base
at Gatwick airport, with the trade union saying it will “deliver hundreds of
jobs in the UK”.
Terry Brandon, BALPA’s national officer, said: “This is a
glimmer of hope for the struggling UK aviation industry that is much needed.”
Norse founder and CEO Bjorn Tore Larsen said the deal will
allow the airline “to offer pilots the opportunity to return to the cockpit”
following “a tough time for the entire aviation industry”.