Category Archives: Norwegian Air Shuttle

Norwegian names its fifth Boeing 787-8 after Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen

Norwegian Long Haul (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) has just finished up adding the tail image to its newly-delivered fifth Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The pictured EI-LNE (msn 34796) was handed over to Norwegian on April 30. Today in Dublin the 787 departed with the new likeness of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen on the tail.

According to Wikipedia, Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen (1872 – 1928) was a Norwegian explorer of the polar regions. Amundsen led the Antarctic expedition (1910–1912) to become part of the first group of explorers to reach the South Pole in December 1911. In 1926, he was the first expedition leader to be recognized without dispute as having reached the North Pole.

Amundsen is also known as the first to traverse the Northwest Passage (1903–06). He disappeared in June 1928 while taking part in a rescue mission.

Norwegian:

Norwegian flies over 1.8 million passengers in March, an increase of 25 percent

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) is growing fast and its traffic is booming. The passenger volume grew by 25 percent alone in March. The company issued this statement (translated from Norwegian):

Norwegian flew over 1.8 million passengers in March 2014, an increase of 25 percent over the same month last year. Capacity growth was in the high 51 percent, in absolute terms the largest capacity growth that Norwegian has ever had in a month.

In March flew 1,805,551 passengers on Norwegian, an increase of 25 percent compared with the same month last year. The total traffic growth (RPK) increased by 52 percent in March, while capacity growth (ASK) increased by 51 percent. This represents an increase of 1.2 billion seat kilometers, the largest capacity growth ever during a month. The passenger load factor was 77.8
percent in March, up 0.2 percentage points compared with the same month last year.

Despite the increased load factor, this year’s late Easter had a negative impact on the load factor in March.

We have a record capacity growth this month, something that depends on the establishment of new bases outside Scandinavia and the launch of several new routes and flights throughout its route network. Despite strong growth in capacity and this year’s late Easter filled planes slightly better than the same period last year. It shows that Norwegian holds the promise of good quality and low prices, said CEO Bjørn Kjos.

In March came two brand-new aircraft; a Boeing 737-800 and a 787 Dreamliner. In 2014, Boeing will deliver 14 Boeing 737-800s and four 787 Dreamliners. Norwegian’s fleet is among the most modern and environmentally friendly in Europe.

Norwegian completed 99.7 percent of scheduled flights in March, of which 87.1 percent departed at the scheduled timetable.

Copyright Photo: Paul Bannwarth/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-86N LN-NOJ (msn 37884) with Danish astronomer Tycho Brache on the tail lands at Tenerife Sur (South).

Norwegian:

Routes from Oslo:

Norwegian opens its new base at Barcelona, Spain

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) and Spanish authorities are celebrating today the opening of the new base in Barcelona. It is the sixth Spanish base along with Madrid, Alicante, Malaga, Las Palmas and Tenerife.

The mood among the travelers were on top when Norwegian, Spanish authorities and partners celebrated the opening of the new base in Barcelona with a ribbon cutting, refreshments and speeches.

Between March and October this year Norwegian expects to fly around 700,000 passengers to and from Barcelona. During the same period last year traveled 490,000 passengers to and from the Catalan capital.

Three Boeing 737-800 are now based at the Barcelona-El Prat Airport. Over 120 pilots and cabin crew have been hired locally with competitive wages and working conditions. Norwegian opens four new routes and increase frequencies on existing routes from April 2014. Norwegian now has 11 nonstop routes from BCN and 69 flights a week from Barcelona.

Top Copyright Photo: Norwegian.

Norwegian:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael Kelly/AirlinersGallery.com. The latest Norwegian Boeing 787-8 EI-LND (msn 35310) arrived at Dublin on delivery from Boeing on March 26. The Dreamliner was rolled out yesterday (March 31) with a decal of Norwegian marathon runner Grete Waitz on the tail.

Norwegian today launches Stockholm-Los Angeles Boeing 787 nonstop flights

Norwegian Long Haul‘s (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) today launched the first nonstop flight between Stockholm (Arlanda) and Los Angeles in California with twice weekly service. As of April 30, Norwegian will operate three flights a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This is the first time that Sweden has a nonstop flight to Los Angeles.

Twice-weekly nonstop Stockholm – Oakland flights will begin on May 3, 2014 and will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Currently Norwegian’s other long-haul routes from Stockholm Arlanda operate to New York (JFK), Fort Lauderdale/Fort Lauderdale and Bangkok.

Norwegian is currently attempting to transfer the Norwegian Long Haul operations to Norwegian Air International (Dublin). All of the 787s are registered in Ireland.

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 EI-LNA (msn 35304) lands at Malaga with Olympic skater Sonja Henie on the tail.

Norwegian:

Norwegian to start Stockholm-Vilnius flights on May 8

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) will launch a new route linking Stockholm (Arlanda) with Vilnius, Lithuania starting on May 8. The new route will be operated three days a week.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. The Boeing 737-300 is slowly being phased down, now to 10 aircraft. The pictured 737-3K2 LN-KKF (man 24326) displays Fridtjof Nansen on the tail.

Norwegian:

Norwegian Air International is awarded an AOC in Ireland, will lease four Boeing 787-9s

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian Long Haul) (Norwegian Air International) (Norwegian.com) has issued this statement concerning the issuance of an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the state of Ireland for subsidiary Norwegian Air International Limited (Dublin) on February 12. Norwegian’s long haul Boeing 787s operations will be transferred to this new subsidiary.

Norwegian issued this statement (translated from Norwegian):

Irish authorities have awarded Norwegian Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and license to Norwegian’s wholly owned subsidiaries Norwegian Air International Limited, which has its administration in Dublin.

The operation of the Norwegian’s long-haul routes will, with the new permit will be transferred to Norwegian Air International Limited (NAI). The airline has established management and essential government functions in Dublin and is ready to operate under the Irish Aviation Authority.

Why Ireland?

There are several reasons why the Norwegian has established long-distance company in Dublin. The main reason is the availability of future traffic rights to and from the EU. Norwegian has an order for over 260 new aircraft and plans to launch several new routes to and from Europe. Norwegian Air International’s establishment in Ireland does not affect the export guarantees attached to the company’s financing. Besides that Ireland has an aviation authority of good repute, the country is also a sort of hub for the airline industry – including all major leasing companies such as Norwegian partners with offices in Dublin.

The choice of Ireland, not because the country has specific rules that allow American or Asian crews, with both politicians and unions have claimed. In fact, Norwegian could have based its long-distance company in any other European country and yet used American and Asian crews, as several other European airlines have done for years. The only exceptions are Norway and to some extent Denmark who have chosen to retain outdated rules regarding this.

Transfer of new AOC

The transfer of the first Dreamliner plane to the new EU AOC: one implemented on February 12 and was done in conjunction with scheduled maintenance. The remaining aircraft will be transferred. U.S. transport authorities will now consider its application for traffic rights asserted
Norwegian’s long-haul flights to and from the United States. This is regulated under the Open Skies agreement between the U.S. and the EU, which means that an operator from any party that meets the conditions, shall be entitled to operate under this agreement. It granted the operating license and the license in Ireland means that Norwegian meets all the necessary requirements.

Competitors and unions have made a number of false accusations against both Norwegian and Ireland. This is despite the EU’s transport authorities, Irish and Norwegian regulators have repeatedly disproved it. Norwegian expects the approval of the application of the United States in compliance with the Open Skies Agreement as Norwegian has the same rights as before when the aircraft were moved from Norway to the EU.

In other news, Norwegian has contracted for four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for delivery in 2017 and 2018. With the new agreement, Norwegian’s 787 fleet will increase to 14 aircraft.

The four aircraft will be leased from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The new aircraft will be in service in 2017 and 2018.

Norwegian has three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners in the current fleet and five more on order. Further, the company has already signed an agreement for two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with deliveries in the first quarter of 2016. In total, Norwegian will have a fleet of 14 long-haul 787 aircraft, with four to be delivered in 2014, one in 2015, two in 2016, two in 2017 and two in 2018.

This larger Dreamliner model accommodates more passengers and is more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than the 787-8 model. Boeing has already made a series of test flights and the aircraft type will be in commercial operation later in 2014. The agreement has been signed with the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

Finally, Norwegian announced an annual profit before tax of 437 million Norwegian kroner (NOK) ($71.6 million). For the fourth quarter, Norwegian reported a profit of 283 million kroner.

2013 is the seventh year in a row that Norwegian has reported a profit.

Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian Long Haul’s (now Norwegian Air International) Boeing 787-8 EI-LNA (man 35304) arrives in London (Heathrow).

Norwegian:

Norwegian’s passenger traffic increases by 24% in January to 1.5 million passengers

Norwegian Air Shuttle’s (Norwegian Long Haul) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) traffic is exploding. The fast-growing carrier reported its traffic grew by 24 percent in January 2014 to over 1.5 million passengers. The company issued this statement:

Norwegian carried more than 1.5 million passengers in January 2014, an increase of 24 percent compared to January last year. The load factor increased despite major capacity growth.

In January, 1,530,441 passengers flew with Norwegian. This is an increase of 24 percent compared to January 2013. The total passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 50 percent and the total capacity (ASK) increased by 45 percent this month. The load factor was 74.8 percent in January, up 2.6 percentage points.

“I’m very pleased that we in a low season month like January increase the load factor, even with major capacity growth. The fact that 1.5 million passengers chose to fly with us prove that low fares and new, comfortable aircraft are important, “said CEO Bjørn Kjos.

Norwegian operated 99.6 percent of its scheduled flights in January, whereof 78.3 percent departed on time. The on-time performance is affected by challenging weather conditions in Scandinavia.

In January, Norwegian took delivery of two brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft. A total of 15 such aircraft will be delivered in 2014 in addition to four 787 Dreamliners. Norwegian’s fleet is one of Europe’s newest and most environmentally friendly.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8JP LN-NOT (msn 37816) with Piet Hein on the tail departs for Oslo at Geneva.

Norwegian:

AFA works to build a coalition to fight the U.S. operations of Norwegian Long Haul

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) has issued this statement against Norwegian hiring U.S.-based Flight Attendants:

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) today met with a broad labor coalition and government representatives from Norway to discuss the detrimental effects Norwegian Air International’s attempt to bypass international labor laws will have on aviation workers around the world. AFA, part of a delegation comprised of union representatives, issued the following statement concerning current hiring practices by Norwegian Air International:

“Today we joined our aviation colleagues and industry leaders to discuss strategies and alternatives that would ensure Norwegian does not erode labor laws or the careers of U.S. Flight Attendants as they work to expand their business.

“History has shown that when companies find a way to take advantage of loopholes that assist in evading strong labor provisions, a global race to the bottom begins, leaving behind workers and communities. For nearly 70 years, AFA has been dedicated to protecting the Flight Attendant career, standing against any attempt to create a position that has little room for advancement and no job security. We are concerned that Norwegian’s announcement to hire U.S.-based Flight Attendants to staff international flights undercuts labor laws, paying outsourced workers a fraction of what Norwegian Flight Attendants earn.

“For decades, AFA has worked closely with our counterparts across the world for global labor standards that protect careers and enhance aviation growth. While we are dedicated to creating opportunities that expand business, it is imperative that airlines work collaboratively with unions and workers so that everyone is able to share in the success.

“AFA remains dedicated to our long-standing mission of uniting all Flight Attendants, regardless of carrier. We stand in unity with our counterparts at Norwegian in their fight to retain good jobs. Norwegian’s attempt to outsource Flight Attendant positions, not only bypasses Norway’s labor laws that protect workers, but it erodes careers of U.S. Flight Attendants who have worked for nearly seven decades to build an enduring career.

“In our global aviation environment, it is imperative that we all work together to ensure that workers are treated fairly and are recognized for the role they have in their airline’s success.”

Norwegian hires 170 American flight attendants

Norwegian Long Haul (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) has been recruiting for American employees since October 2012 to serve as flight attendants. The airline has received over 5,500 applications for the 300 open positions. So far it has hired 170 flight attendants for based positions in New York and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood. Another 130 FAs will be hired. Some of the recruits have finished their training and are already flying as we previously reported.

All new employees work under U.S. pay standards and conditions.

Norwegian’s long-haul routes in 2014:

Bangkok: Oslo and Stockholm
New York City: Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and London
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood: Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London
Los Angeles: Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London
San Francisco: Oslo and Stockholm
Orlando: Oslo

Norwegian:

Video: New crew members talk about working for Norwegian:

Norwegian to start Stockholm Heraklion, Crete flights on June 26

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) on June 26 will launch the Stockholm (Arlanda) – Heraklion with one weekly flight. Norwegian will now have two destinations in Crete, Chania and Heraklion. In addition to a new route to Crete increased number of flights to Tel Aviv, Larnaca and Riga.

Norwegian: