Norwegian Air Shuttle (Oslo) has announced it will lease long-range aircraft as a stop-gap measure due to the delays in the deliveries of its new Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The carrier had previously announced an aggressive low-fare schedule for its new long-range destinations of New York and Bangkok based on the original delivery schedule. The grounding of the 787 due to the battery fires has interrupted the delivery schedule for all customers.

The company issued this statement (translated from Norwegian):

Boeing has warned of a possible delay in the delivery of Norwegian’s first Dreamliner that was supposed to have been delivered by the end of April, 2013. Norwegian will now secure replacement aircraft for the routes between Oslo and New York and Bangkok when direct routes start in late May.

In light of new information from Boeing, Norwegian will enter into an agreement with a leasing company that can fly the long-haul flights. Boeing has not produced any new delivery date or confirmation in writing of any delay. Norwegian is in contact with several European airlines flying long haul flights. It is not yet decided which company, if so, will fly these direct routes. All passengers who have booked flights with Norwegian will get more detailed information about the flights as soon as it is ready.

Image: Norwegian.

Norwegian: