Category Archives: Norwegian Air Shuttle

Norwegian continues its long-haul expansion with new Boeing 787 routes

Norwegian Long Haul (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Oslo) continues its long-range expansion and is launching new routes from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Los Angeles (twice-weekly starting March 2, 2014) and San Francisco (twice-weekly starting on May 3, 2014). Additionally, the carrier will launch nonstop services between Copenhagen and Los Angeles (twice-weekly starting on March 1, 2014) and New York (twice-weekly starting February 28, 2014), along with Oslo and Los Angeles (weekly starting on June 1, 2014) , Oakland (three flights a week starting on May 28, 2014) and Orlando (MCO) (twice weekly starting on May 29, 2014).

Meanwhile, the company is increasing its capacity between Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Copenhagen, from two to three flights a week. In addition, Norwegian is adding a new direct route to New York (JFK) from Copenhagen.

Norwegian started flying long haul services in May and now offers six flights a week between Scandinavia and New York (JFK) and five weekly flights between Scandinavia and Bangkok. In November, the company will start flights to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood from Stockholm (Arlanda), Copenhagen and Oslo.

Copyright Photo: James Helbock/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured Boeing 787-8 EI-LNB (msn 35305) was delivered on August 25, 2013 and will soon have a famous person on the tail.

Norwegian:

Norwegian Long Haul to launch Boeing 787-8 scheduled flights from Stockholm on August 15

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) will launch its Norwegian Long Haul Boeing 787-8 scheduled service from Stockholm (Arlanda) to both New York (JFK) and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) on August 15. The airline has been operating the new 787 on inter-European routes from Oslo (Gardermoen).

The Dreamliner will be repositioned to Arlanda on August 11. It is due to arrive at ARN at 1500 local time.

Copyright Photo: Duncan Kirk/AirlinersGallery.com. This dramatic view shows Boeing 787-8 EI-LNA (msn 35304) landing back at Paine Field near Everett, WA.

Norwegian:

Norwegian to start long haul 787 operations on August 16

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Oslo) is now targeting August 16 as the date of its first long haul Boeing 787-8 flight. The first Norwegian Long Haul route will now be from Stockholm (Arlanda) to New York (JFK) on August 16 per Airline Route. The airline, as we have reported, has been operating its new 787-8 on short-haul European routes in order for crews to get used to the new type. The new aircraft will also end the lease of HiFly Airbus A330s.

Norwegian is now looking at its routes from the Scandinavian capitals to the United States as its new growth area. The company is also considering a sub-base in either New York or Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood in the future.

Read about the new strategy for News in English: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner EI-LNA (msn 35304) lands at Malaga. Malaga is one of the European destinations currently being served with the 787 from Oslo.

Norwegian:

Flying on Norwegian’s first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on a “Dreamtour”

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) is currently operating the pictured Boeing 787-8 EI-LNA (msn 35304) (above) (Antony J. Best) on European routes before it enters its long-haul service career with Norwegian Long haul. EI-LNA was the first 787 for the rapidly-growing low-fare airline and was handed over to the carrier on June 29, 2013.

The Norwegian is operating a “Dreamtour” for its European customers this summer. From July 4 through August 4 the airline is substituting its new 787 on select European routes from Oslo. This includes flights to London (Gatwick) as well as Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Nice on the Mediterranean Sea.

Allan Huse booked and flew one of these “Dreamtour” flights, a round trip from London (Gatwick) and Oslo and return.

Asked about his experience and first impressions of the 787, Allan said; “It was very enjoyable and smooth flight. The crew was friendly and knew all about the aircraft and the on board systems. The fare was good at under £100 return. I would recommend a flight on one!”

Allan has also provided these in-flight and cabin photos of EI-LNA from his “Dreamtour”.

Above: The “front-end office” of EI-LNA with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. The crew loves the new “toy”.

Above: EL-LNA is dedicated to Norwegian figure skater and film star Sonja Henie. Her image appears on the tail and also in the inside of the cabin where Norwegian has placed a photo of Sonja on the bulkhead.

Above Two Photos: Even of these short European routes, Norwegian is showing off the mood lighting on EI-LNA.

Above Photo: For those with the perfect window seat, the beautiful sweeping lines of the wing of EI-LNA is apparent.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best (all others by Allan Huse). Boeing 787-8 EI-LNA prepares to land at London (Gatwick).

Norwegian:

Video: In Norwegian. Following in the footsteps of Thomson Airways. Norwegian is taking a state-of-the-art aircraft with its lower operating costs and merging it with its low-fare strategy on new leisure routes.

Norwegian’s second quarter profit soars to $45.6 million

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) reported a profit before taxes of $45.6 million for the second quarter. The company issued this statement:

Norwegian today reported a profit before tax (EBT) of 277 million NOK for the second quarter of 2012. This is an improvement of 152 million Norwegian kroner, compared with the same period last year. The quarter was marked by significant cost reduction, strong output growth and fully booked flight. Even with startup costs for long-range effort and new bases in Europe reduces costs, something that is crucial to ensure the company’s competitiveness in the future.

Norwegian had a turnover of NOK 4 billion in the second quarter, an increase of 27 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Earnings before tax (EBT) amounted to 277 MNOK 152 million Norwegian crowns better than in 2012. Number of passengers flew with Norwegian in the second quarter amounted to 5.5 million, over 1 million more than the same period last year and an increase of 23 percent. The traffic growth (RPK) increased sharply to 35 percent, which is linked to every Norwegian passengers now fly much longer than they did a year ago. Cost reduction is at 9 percent.

Growth in all markets

The figures also show a strong production growth, with an increase of 34 percent (ASK). Growth is consistently in all markets. Even with a solid growth in capacity is the load factor high. The load factor for the second quarter was 77 percent, 1 percentage point higher than in the same period last year. The Norwegian’s long-range initiatives, Norwegian has had a load factor of 96 percent. The new base at London Gatwick already has a 85 percent load factor on the newly opened Mediterranean routes.

“It has been a good quarter for Norwegian where we see clear results on the choices the company has made. We finally got started with long-haul flights and we have opened a new base in London. At the same time, we have managed to reduce our costs, which is essential in such a competitive industry as the airline industry”, said Norwegian’s CEO Bjorn Kjos.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8JP WL LN-NGE (msn 39050) in the special UNICEF – Unite For Children markings, prepares for runway departure clearance at Palma de Mallorca. UNICEF is Norwegian’s favorite charity.

Norwegian:

Norwegian takes delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 from ILFC and Boeing

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian Long haul) (Oslo) has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Boeing, International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) and Norwegian celebrated several milestones on Thursday (June 27) during a delivery ceremony for a new 787 Dreamliner. It was the first 787 delivered to ILFC and its lessee, Norwegian, which will operate the airplane. The 787 also marked the 700^th airplane Boeing delivered to ILFC.

The delivery to ILFC builds on Boeing’s 40-year relationship with the Los Angeles-based leasing company and largest 787 customer with 74 Dreamliners on order.

Norwegian currently has eight 787s on order through lease agreements and direct deliveries. The carrier will use the 787s to service its new long-haul routes from Oslo and Stockholm to New York (JFK) and Bangkok. In November, the airline also will operate the 787 to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood from Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen.

The delivery flight to Oslo (Gardermoen) took 8 hours and 20 minutes.

Before the new aircraft is deployed on its long-haul routes to New York (JFK) and Bangkok, between July 4 and August 4, the new type will be flying a range of European routes from Oslo to include London, Alicante, Malaga, Nice and Barcelona.

Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian’s Boeing 787-8 EI-LNA (msn 35304) with Sonja Henie on the tail is pictured departing Paine Field near Everett yesterday afternoon (June 28) as “Norstar 576”. Norwegian will operate its new Boeing 787s as a separate “Norwegian Long Haul A.S.” (DU/NLH) division.

Norwegian:

Norwegian’s strategy to remain competitive

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) has issued a new video. This video explains Norwegian’s strategy in order to stay competitive. New aircraft, a smooth organization and international expansion are mandatory to stay in business. This video contains interviews with independent sources, Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos and several employees at Norwegian.

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian is rapidly phasing out its less efficient Boeing 737-300s. Boeing 737-36N LN-KKL (msn 28671) with Roald Amundsen on the tail departs from Southend.

Norwegian:

Video (in Norwegian with English sub-titles):

Norwegian to launch 20 new routes for the winter 2013-2014, launches its 15th route from London Gatwick

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) is one of the fastest growing airlines in Europe and continues to launch new routes. The airline has issued this statement concerning the launch of 20 new routes for the coming winter season:

Norwegian is planning to launch 20 new routes this winter season starting in the autumn of 2013. From Stockholm, the company expands the number of direct routes to Malaga, Gran Canaria, Alicante and Tenerife.

Norwegian also announced new routes and increased frequencies on existing routes from Finland, Denmark, Norway and England.

From Sweden and Denmark, the Norwegian winter offer even more departures to several Spanish destinations. From Stockholm, Norwegian is increasing number of flights to Malaga from five to six times per week, to Las Palmas from four to five, Alicante 4-5 and Tenerife from 2 to 3 times a week.

From Gothenburg, Norwegian is increasing the number of flights to Tenerife from one to two times a week. The cvompany is increasing the Copenhagen-Malaga route from eight to nine times a week.

Norwegian has got a very nice reception in the Finnish market and the number of passengers increases constantly resulting in new routes and more departures. For the winter season, Norwegian will fly directly from Oulu to Tenerife and from Turku to Alicante. In addition to these new routes, Norwegian also extends the direct route between Oulu and Alicante in the winter program.

To meet market demand, Norwegian is also increasing flights from Helsinki to several Spanish destinations. The direct flights to Tenerife increases from two to three times a week, Alicante from four to six and Las Palmas from three to four times a week.

As previously reported, Norwegian continues to grow internationally and is launching 11 new routes from Germany to several Spanish destinations. From Hamburg, Norwegian Air Shuttle routes to Alicante, Malaga, Las Palmas and Tenerife. From Cologne launched routes to Alicante, Malaga, Las Palmas and Tenerife. From Munich there will be direct routes to Alicante, Malaga and Tenerife.

In other news, Norwegian has announced flights from London Gatwick to the popular Spanish Canary Island of Fuerteventura starting on October 30. Norwegian will fly twice a week between London Gatwick and Fuerteventura. The new route becomes the 15th route from LGW.

Norwegian has become a significant player at London Gatwick and recently established a UK base at the airport. The airline currently has three aircraft based at London Gatwick and has increased its weekly flights from 198 in 2009 to 320 by the end of the summer.

Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8JP WL LN-DYW (msn 39010) with the image of Thorbjorn Egner on the tail taxies past the camera at Dublin.

Norwegian:

Norwegian and Virgin Atlantic pilots to cooperate on the Boeing 787 training and long-haul expertise, will expand in Germany

Norwegian Long Haul (Norwegian Air Shuttle) (Oslo) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virgin Atlantic Airways (London). The agreement enables Norwegian to tap into Virgin Atlantic’s expertise on long-haul operations, while Virgin Atlantic’s instructors will receive pilot training on board Norwegian’s brand new 787-8 Dreamliner. Norwegian’s first Dreamliner is due for delivery at the end of June.

The cooperation with Virgin Atlantic will enable Norwegian’s long-haul pilots to make use of the airline’s vast long-haul experience. Virgin Atlantic will make all its training material available to Norwegian.

Virgin Atlantic’s pilots to train on board Norwegian’s 787 Dreamliner

At the same time, Virgin Atlantic’s 787 instructors will conduct the final part of their pilot training on board Norwegian’s Dreamliners. Virgin Atlantic’s most experienced instructors will continue flying on board Norwegian’s aircraft until the airline receives its first 787 Dreamliner in September 2014, just over a year after Norwegian’s first Dreamliner delivery.

“Introducing a new aircraft type to an airline is an extensive affair. It is therefore important that we learn from each other,” says Director of Flight Operations Norwegian Long Haul, Torstein Hoås.

A great advantage to both parties

“Virgin Atlantic is a successful long-haul airline with almost 30 years of Trans-Atlantic experience. It will be very beneficial for us to receive this support. At the same time, we are looking forward to helping Virgin Atlantic introduce the 787 Dreamliner to its fleet. The cooperation will be a great advantage to both parties,” he continues.

Virgin Atlantic will be the launch customer in Europe of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, a slightly bigger version of the 787-8 Dreamliner. In the agreement signed on Friday, Virgin Atlantic states that it will train a number of Norwegian pilots on board its future Dreamliners.

“Virgin Atlantic are delighted to announce our training partnership with Norwegian. Our combined experience is being effectively utilised to ensure the safe and efficient introduction of the Boeing 787 aircraft to our fleet. We have much in common with Norwegian, having similar high quality training requirements, which has allowed our partnership to take shape,” says Captain Dave Kistruck, GM of Flight Operations for Virgin Atlantic.

In other news, Norwegian is expanding in the Germany-Spain market. The company has issued this statement:

Norwegian Air Shuttle continues its European expansion. The company has announced that it will launch new routes from Hamburg, Cologne and Munich to several Spanish destinations this autumn.

“The expansion in the German market is part of our future strategy to expand our presence outside of the Nordic region in order to meet the strong competition in the airline industry. We see that Germans frequently choose Norwegian when flying to Scandinavia and we believe that there is a demand for a quality airline that offers inexpensive fares between Germany and Spain. We are looking forward to welcoming passengers on board our modern and more eco-friendly aircraft,” said CEO of Norwegian Bjørn Kjos.

From the end of October, Norwegian launches brand new routes between Germany and Spain and will fly to Malaga, Alicante, Gran Canaria and Tenerife from Hamburg and Cologne. From Munich, Norwegian will offer flights to Malaga, Alicante and Tenerife.

Strong expansion

Norwegian is Europe’s third largest low-fare airline. As one of the fastest growing airlines in Europe, it is establishing itself outside of the Nordic region by opening bases in the UK and Spain. At the end of the month, Norwegian will, as the first European low-fare airline, commence long-haul flights to the US and Asia.

From Hamburg

Hamburg-Malaga (November 1), 3 weekly flights, from EUR 29,- one way
Hamburg-Alicante (November 1), 3 weekly flights, from EUR 29,- one way
Hamburg-Gran Canaria (October 27), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 49,- one way
Hamburg-Tenerife (October 27), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 49,- one way

From Cologne

Cologne-Malaga (October 31), 3 weekly flights, from EUR 29,- one way
Cologne-Alicante (November 1), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 29,- one way
Cologne-Gran Canaria (October 28), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 49,- one way
Cologne-Tenerife (October 28), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 49,- one way

From Munich

Munich-Malaga (November 1), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 39,- one way
Munich-Alicante (October 31), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 39,- one way
Munich-Tenerife (October 29), 2 weekly flights, from EUR 59,- one way

Norwegian:

Virgin Atlantic:

Norwegian swings to an operating profit of $40.9 million in the first quarter

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) issued the following statement (translated from Norwegian):

Norwegian has announced a quarterly profit before tax of 238 million Norwegian crowns ($40.9 million). This is better than last year and one of its best first quarter results. The quarter was characterized by good traffic growth and international expansion and a substantial reduction of costs which strengthens the company’s competitive position in an industry with fierce competition.

Norwegian had sales of 2.9 billion Norwegian kroner in the first quarter, an increase of 23 percent compared with the same period last year. Earnings before tax (EBT) ranked -160 million NOK, SEK 238 million compared to the first quarter of 2012. 3.9 million passengers flew with the airline, which is a traffic growth of 8 per cent in terms of number of passengers. The traffic growth (RPK) was much higher, 19 percent, which is also linked to each Norwegian passengers now fly much longer distances than they did a year ago.

The figures also show a strong growth in production, an increase of 21 percent (ASK). The load factor for the first quarter was 76 percent, down one percentage point compared to the same quarter last year.

During the first quarter decreased cost (CASK) of 8 percent, both including and excluding fuel. Cost cuts explained by the establishment of new European bases and that the company will phase in a growing number of brand new Boeing 737-800’s, including 6 aircraft already delivered this year. April 1 opened Norwegian a new base at Gatwick in London, where the company until now launched 14 direct routes, including a number of popular Mediterranean destinations. Norwegian also opened a new base in Alicante in late March.

Norwegian’s overall production growth is expected to be over 25 percent in 2013 based on the company is phasing in new aircraft, launch more new routes and start to fly long-haul routes from late May / early June.

“We are very pleased with the results for the first quarter and that, in a seasonally weak quarter for many airlines, made a profit of 238 million kronor. The load factor was stable despite strong output growth. At the same time we reduce our costs significantly, which is absolutely critical to be a competitive player in the international industry. It is also gratifying that our growth is creating new jobs in several markets, including outside Scandinavia. Our strategy regarding cost reduction and international expansion is also the most important thing we can do to secure the many jobs we all have already created in Scandinavia”, said Norwegian’s CEO Bjorn Kjos.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best. Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) Boeing 737-81D WL LN-NOR (msn 39412) (Povel Ramel) arrives at London (Gatwick).

Norwegian:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Norwegian. Another view of LN-NOR in scenic Norway.