Nine out of 10 Irish support plans for cheap EU-US flights

Almost nine out of 10 Irish people support Norwegian Air International's plans for cheap US flights from the Republic and EU.

Norwegian wants to launch a low-cost transatlantic service connecting Europe with North America, including services from Cork and Shannon to Boston, but faces opposition from US unions and airlines.

A Red C poll found Irish people strongly support both the proposed low-cost transatlantic service and Norwegian’s Cork-Boston plans.

It found that 86 per cent of Irish people agreed that the country needs cheap transatlantic services, while 82 per cent of Munster residents said that they would fly with the airline to the US.

Chief executive of the airline's parent, Norwegian Air, Bjorn Kjos, pointed out that the Government, aviation authorities and airports already back the airline's plans.

“This new polling now reveals that the new flights also have broad public support, with passengers keen to benefit from affordable, direct new routes,” he said.

Cork Airport managing director, Niall MacCarthy, added that the research reinforces the view that transatlantic services would be hugely positive for the airport.

Norwegian Air based its subsidiary in the Republic to take advantage of the Open Skies treaty, which allows EU-registered airlines to fly to the US from anywhere in Europe.

However, Washington’s Department of Transportation delayed in granting Norwegian Air International a foreign carrier’s permit in the face of opposition from US aviation unions, airlines and politicians.