Same - no degree here but extensive, relevant experience
Same - no degree here but extensive, relevant experience
I'd say you would have a better chance to continue working in the airline industry with your extensive experience there. But yeah as long as the company can prove that your skills are not available in the local pool, you should be OK. But I am guessing that English proficiency and extensive customer service experience is not enough. That said, my employer was able to get that for me though I changed industries too. So I do think it's doable.
In my case (unfinished degree with years of directly related experience AND prior rejection, plus they can't fill the role for nearly a year already), they went past those aspects and focused more on what the role is about and what's so special about me (I believe they asked my manager for a justification paper). So I think you have to build a strong case in that area.
You have to be patient – it took my employer months and lots of paperwork.