Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) on September 1, 2022 celebrated 20 years since the airline’s very first flight. More than 300 million passengers have travelled with Norwegian since 2002.

On September 1, at 14.00 CET in 2002, the very first Boeing 737 flight with Norwegian from Oslo to Bergen took off, marking the birth of the new airline. During the past 20 years, Norwegian has welcomed more than 300 million passengers on board. On the Oslo-Bergen route alone, the airline has carried 15 million passengers.

Norwegian is Norway’s largest airline with 4,000 employees, and with the Nordics as Norwegian’s main market, the airline today offers a large route network across Europe. In 2002, Norwegian operated four domestic routes in Norway, and by the summer season of 2022 the company operated 280 routes and 108 destinations across Norway, the Nordics and Europe.

In 2002, Norwegian operated seven aircraft with about 300 employees. The following year, which was the first full year of operation, more than 1.2 million passengers travelled with Norwegian. In comparison, the company carried about 2.2 million passengers in July 2022 only.

The 20th birthday was celebrated at Oslo airport in connection with the anniversary flight to Bergen, exactly 20 years after Norwegian’s very first flight. Norwegian’s founder Bjørn Kjos, State Secretary Jacob Bjelland from the Norwegian Ministry of Transport, and CEO Abraham Foss from the airport operator Avinor, were present to take part in the celebration.

From left: Norwegian’s founder Bjørn Kjos and CEO Geir Karlsen attended the 20th anniversary at Oslo Gardermoen Airport.

The crew members are wearing the same uniform that was used in 2002. Here together with CEO Geir Karlsen.

All passengers on board the anniversary flight from Oslo to Bergen received a gift card. CEO Geir Karlsen is talking to passengers.

Norwegian aircraft photo gallery:

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian.com) reported its results for the second quarter and first half of 2022, characterised by increasing demand for air travel, higher fuel prices and gain from aircraft order. The figures demonstrate Norwegian’s ability to increase capacity for the busy summer travel season and deliver robust operational performance. Amidst capacity constraints at European airports and aircraft technician strike, close to all scheduled flights were operated.

Profit before tax (EBT) in the second quarter amounted to NOK 1,248 million ($129,810), impacted both by the reinstatement of aircraft order prepayments and the high fuel price this quarter. Cash and cash equivalents was unchanged from the previous quarter at NOK 7.5 billion. At quarter-end, Norwegian’s total operational fleet comprised 65 aircraft.

“This quarter has demonstrated our ability to rapidly ramp up capacity and effectively meet the strong demand for air travel. The results have been made possible thanks to our dedicated colleagues that put our customers at the heart of our operations. I am particularly pleased that we deliver market-leading regularity in times with capacity constraints across European airports and a technician strike in Norway,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

The summer program has been well received among customers across markets. Many customers have longed to travel to Norwegian’s key destinations, creating strong pent-up demand with increasing traffic and bookings through the quarter and into the busy summer season. Production (ASK) was close to double from the previous quarter, while the number of passengers increased with 124 percent. Load factor improved through the quarter to 85 percent in June and increased further into July.

This quarter, Norwegian announced a landmark deal with the purchase of 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, due to be delivered between 2025 and 2028. The delivery schedule closely corresponds to current aircraft lease expirations, entailing a limited net increase of the current fleet. The agreement also includes options for an additional 30 aircraft. Following the conclusion of the agreement, on 22 June, Norwegian reinstated a previously impaired pre-delivery payments (PDP) of NOK 2,099 million in the quarter.

“The aircraft deal with Boeing is key for Norwegian’s next chapter. It will enable us to serve our customers with modern fuel-efficient aircraft, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. In addition, it sets the stage for us to own a large share of our fleet, enabling us to solidify our Nordic stronghold,” said Karlsen.

In June, aircraft technicians went on strike after the Federation of Norwegian Aviation Industries (NHO Luftfart) and the Norwegian Aircraft Technician Organisation (NFO) failed to reach an agreement. Strong dedication and effort from the Norwegian organisation ensured that disruptions and cancellations were kept to a minimum. The strike was concluded after ten days on 28 June through forced arbitration.

In the second quarter of 2022, Norwegian had 5.0 million passengers, up from 0.4 million in the same period last year and 2.2 million passengers in the previous quarter. Production (ASK) was 7.6 billion, while passenger traffic (RPK) was 6.2 billion. The load factor increased to 81.2 percent, up from 57.4 percent in the same period last year and 76.9 percent in the previous quarter.

Punctuality was heavily impacted by capacity constraints at European airports this quarter. Share of flights departing on schedule was 78.8 percent, compared to 95.4 percent in the same period last year and 88.1 percent in the previous quarter. Regularity, share of flights taking place, was however 99.4 percent.

Looking ahead to a solid autumn and winter “Looking ahead, Norwegian is well positioned to solidify the position as a leading Nordic airline. Our customers assign high value on Norwegians offering, including the attractive route network, the award-winning Norwegian Reward loyalty programme, and market-leading operational performance. Agreements entered into with Widerøe and Norse Atlantic Airways in July will serve to further increase the attractiveness of our offering,” said Geir Karlsen.

Current booking trends are encouraging with many customers booking their autumn holidays. For the upcoming winter, Norwegian will utilise the fleet flexibility made possible through power-by-the-hour agreements to optimise production to fluctuations in demand. For the current year, Norwegian is increasing its fleet to 70 aircraft. For the summer of 2023, 15 additional aircraft will be added, bringing the total fleet to 85 aircraft.

Norwegian aircraft photo gallery:

Norwegian Air Shuttle issued this traffic report for July:

Norwegian had over 2.2 million passengers in July, the highest number since the outbreak of the pandemic. Norwegian operated 99.7 percent of its scheduled flights with a load factor of close to 95 percent, the highest in several years.

”This has been a great summer for Norwegian. In July, we had the highest load factor in many years, and we operated close to all scheduled flights despite the many demanding challenges the industry has faced. These results have been made possible thanks to our dedicated colleagues who are putting our customers at the heart of our operations”, said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

Norwegian flew 2,206,424 passengers in July, compared to 695,830 in July 2021. The load factor in July was 94.5 percent. The capacity (ASK) was 3,322 million seat kilometres, while actual passenger traffic (RPK) was 3,139 million seat kilometres, an increase of 27 percent from June. Punctuality, as measured by the number of flights departing within 15 minutes of scheduled time, was at 62.2 percent in July. However, as many as 93 percent of all flights arrived on schedule or no more than an hour late. In July, Norwegian operated an average of 70 aircraft and 99.7 percent of scheduled flights were completed.

Norwegian entered into agreements with Widerøe and Norse Atlantic Airways in July with the aim to establish ticketing co-operation and simplify travel for our customers.

Norwegian aircraft photo gallery:

In May, Norwegian and Boeing announced an agreement in principle for the purchase of 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with options for another 30 aircraft.

Norwegian announced that the various closing conditions related to agreement have been met.

Following this, Norwegian estimates that it will record a net gain of approximately NOK 2 billion in the second quarter of 2022.

Additionally, Boeing and Norwegian have filed to settle all outstanding legal disputes.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has reached an agreement in principle with Boeing for a recommitment to purchase 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

The agreement also includes options for an additional 30 aircraft. The 50 aircraft are due to be delivered between 2025 and 2028, at a schedule closely corresponding to current aircraft lease expirations.

This entails a limited net increase of the company’s current fleet. The parties’ agreement in principle is subject to various closing conditions, which are targeted to be concluded by the end of June 2022.

The company intends to finance the outstanding balance of pre-delivery payments through positive cash flow from operating activities. A significant share of the aircraft will be owned by the company, ensuring an optimised and balanced aircraft financing structure. Subsequent to the conclusion of these agreements, Norwegian estimates to record a net gain of approximately NOK 2 billion.

“This is a landmark deal that sets out a path whereby Norwegian will own a large share of its fleet. This will result in lower all-in costs and increased financial robustness, enabling us to further solidify our Nordic stronghold. The deal also allows us to serve our customers with state-of-the-art aircraft that can run increasingly on sustainable aviation fuel,” said Svein Harald Øygard, Chair of the Board of Norwegian.

The purchase agreement demonstrates Norwegian’s continuously strong commitment to operate a modern and fuel-efficient fleet. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is approximately 14 percent more fuel-efficient compared to the previous-generation aircraft, putting the company on strong footing to achieve its target of reducing emissions by 45 percent by 2030.

“The overall terms achieved are attractive for Norwegian, and the deal fits well with our long-term fleet strategy and route program. It will enable us to serve our customers with modern fuel-efficient aircraft with the latest technology, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. The deal will also strengthen the company’s equity considerably, further solidifying Norwegian’s financial position,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

Norwegian aircraft photo gallery: