Norwegian flies recent-vintage Boeing 737s
NEW WINDSOR – Norwegian Airlines would like to officially announce it service between Stewart Airport and European destinations and start selling tickets, but it cannot do that until it has FAA approval.
“The Federal Aviation Administration is still reviewing Norwegian Airlines’ Part 129 application,” an FAA spokesman told Mid-Hudson News.
Part 129 deals with aircraft requirements including being equipped with digital flight recorders, cockpit voice recorders, flight deck security as well as airworthiness, age of the aircraft and maintenance.
The airline must also hold a valid air operator certificate issued by the state of the airline.
Employees must be knowledgeable and follow all FAA rules and regulations. Flightcrew members must hold a certificate or license that shows the person’s ability to perform duties in connection with the operation of the aircraft.
The foreign airline must also comply with security requirements.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said since Norwegian will be operating new Boeing 737 planes manufactured in the US, there should be no question about their airworthiness.
In his mind, the county executive believes there is no reason why the permit is being held up given that the airline already operates at JFK and other airports in the United States.
“When you look at a project that is going to bring in thousands of people from outside the area that would not ordinarily be coming here, how do you say no to that,” Neuhaus said. “The tourism industry alone would be benefiting significantly from this. So, I don’t know how you say no to this project, because what is your alternative?” He noted that while Stewart is called an international airport, there are no international passenger flights.
If airline and airport officials cannot move the approval forward, Neuhaus said he would contact federal representatives. He said has already mentioned it to a member of President Trump’s staff.
