Irish authorities have granted Norwegian Air International (NAI) an air operator’s certificate and operating licence enabling it to run from its Dublin base.
NAI, which is a subsidary of Norwegian, will now have its aircraft operation governed by Ireland.
With this permit, the administration of Norwegian’s long-haul operation will be relocated to Norwegian Air International.
Huge pressure has been put on US and EU authorities, as well as those in Norway, to prevent NAI from gaining a licence.
NAI’s controversial decision to move its operations to Dublin have been criticised by parts of the industry that claim the main reason for the move is to bypass Norway’s strict labour laws, which would prevent it from hiring cheap workers.
NAI deny this claim and said the move is to gain access to future traffic rights to and from the EU.
It also said it chose Ireland over other EU countries because it has fully adapted the Cape Town Convention, which provides NAI with better financing conditions.
In a statement issued today NAI said it “wants to stress the decision was not chosen because Ireland has specific rules and regulations that allow the use of American and Asian crew, like some politicians and unions have claimed”.
NAI added: “The fact is that Norwegian could have based its long-haul company in any other European country and still used American and Asian crew, the way several other European airlines have been operating for years.
“The only exception is Norway and partly Denmark, who so far have opted to keep outdated special rules within this area.”
NAI confirmed it has more than 260 aircraft on order and plans to expand its route network.