Norwegian’s traffic figures for May continue to be affected by international travel restrictions and therefore low demand. However, passenger numbers have shown a noticeable increase in volume in line with vaccination roll outs and changes to entry restrictions and quarantine regulations.

In May, 96,909 customers flew with Norwegian, which is approx. 23,000 more than at the same time last year. Compared with May 2020, the total capacity (ASK) has increased by 41 percent and passenger traffic (RPK) up 97 percent. Furthermore, the load factor in May was 54.8 percent, an increase of 16 percentage points compared with last year.

“Despite low volumes, we are experiencing an increasingly positive trend in the number of bookings for the summer and autumn period. This is especially noticeable in the Scandinavian market. The increase in the number of bookings demonstrates a clear connection with the announced and gradual opening of society and the relaxing of travel restrictions by government authorities. We are prepared and ready to increase our route network to meet future customer demand.” Said Jacob Schram, CEO of Norwegian.

Norwegian operated ten aircraft in May, mainly on Norwegian domestic routes. The company operated 99.1 percent of its scheduled flights in May, whereof 95.9 percent departed on time.

Norwegian Air Shuttle has contracted with aircraft broker Orix Aviation to market 12 of its 18 delivered, but grounded, Boeing 737 MAX aircraft according to E24.

Norwegian is not expected to operate the type ever again. Instead the company will concentrate on the Boeing 737-800 NG as it scales back in order to survive.

Norwegian is also trying to cancel its order for the remaining MAX aircraft Boeing was preparing to build and deliver.

Norwegian Air Shuttle has cancelled its order for Airbus A320neo aircraft.

The airline had previously signed an order for 100 A320neo aircraft with Airbus.

In other news, Norwegian has sent its restructuring plan to its creditors and shareholders. The airline issued this statement:

On March 11, Norwegian’s financial reconstruction plan was sent to its creditors and shareholders. If the plan is approved by the Irish and Norwegian courts in the coming weeks, the company can continue the reconstruction processes and initiate a capital raise in April, targeting completion in May 2021.

Jacob Schram, CEO of Norwegian, said: “We have had many constructive and challenging negotiations with creditors since the indicative plan was presented on January 14, 2021. The Examiner in Ireland and the Reconstructor in Norway both believe that this plan is in the interest of the creditors and shareholders of the company. This is an important milestone in the process of securing Norwegian’s future.”

The Examiner will firstly present formal proposals for the restructuring based on the plan presented to the creditors of the company. Following the necessary creditor meetings the proposals will then be presented to the Irish High Court for approval. The proposals outline how creditors will be dealt with in the actual reconstruction. Unsecured creditors who will not participate in the planned capital raise, will be entitled to cash and a dividend totaling to around five percent. The dividend claims may be converted to shares, in total representing approximately 25 percent of the company’s share capital following the restructuring. New investors in the capital raise will receive approximately 70 percent of the post-restructuring share capital, and current shareholders approximately five percent.

Geir Karlsen, CFO of Norwegian, said: “It is hoped that the Irish High Court will make their final decision within the next couple of weeks. If approved by the Irish Court, the plan will be dealt within the reconstruction process in Norway. If everything goes according to plan, we will be able to carry out the capital raise in May.”

Norwegian has sought to identify solutions to refund a small share of customers with claims from prior to entering the examinership on November 18th, 2020. Approximately 98 percent of refund claims booked directly with Norwegian, were refunded before the commencement of the reconstruction process. Despite discussions with the Examiner and Reconstructor, it has unfortunately proven impossible to allow the reimbursement of the outstanding refund claims to customers due to the principles of the restructuring processes.

Norwegian Air’s traffic figures for January are heavily influenced by lower demand caused by continued travel restrictions across Europe.

In January, 74,224 customers flew with Norwegian, a decrease of 96 percent compared to the same period last year. The capacity (ASK) was down 98 percent, and the total passenger traffic (RPK) was down by 99 percent. The load factor was 35.9 percent, down 45 percentage points.

Jacob Schram, CEO of Norwegian, said: “The pandemic continues to have a negative impact on our business as travel restrictions remain. We are doing everything in our power to come out of the examinership as a stronger, more competitive airline and we look forward to welcoming more customers on board as travel restrictions are lifted.”

Norwegian operated eight aircraft on average in January, mainly on domestic routes in Norway. The company operated 96.8 percent of its scheduled flights in January, whereof 90.4 percent departed on time.

In other news, Norwegian also reported its fourth quarter results. As expected, the results were heavily impacted by COVID-19 and travel restrictions in all markets. The net loss was NOK 16.6 billion, including impairment of NOK 12.8 billion. The operating expenses before leasing and depreciation were reduced by 82 percent compared to the same quarter last year. In 2020, the company reduced net interest-bearing debt by NOK 18 billon. The examinership process in Ireland and the reconstruction process in Norway that were initiated in the fourth quarter are on track.

The pandemic continues to have a negative impact on the aviation industry. Demand was severely affected by changing travel restrictions and the continued spread of COVID-19 across Norwegian’s key markets. Out of a current fleet of 131 aircraft, an average of 15 were operational during the fourth quarter, mainly on domestic routes in Norway. Norwegian carried 574,000 customers, a decrease of 92 percent compared to the same period in 2019. Production capacity (ASK) was down 96 percent and passenger traffic (RPK) decreased by 97 percent. The load factor was 52.4 percent, a decrease of 32.5 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.

Jacob Schram, CEO of Norwegian, said: “2020 was an exceptionally difficult year for the aviation industry and for Norwegian. Consequently, the fourth quarter results are as expected. Unfortunately, many of our employees are furloughed or have lost their jobs, partly due to the company’s decision to cease long-haul operations. Despite the difficulties the pandemic has caused, there is a great fighting spirit and engagement within the company, and together we will build new Norwegian when we exit the reconstruction processes. Now, we are doing everything we can to emerge as a more financially secure and competitive airline with an improved customer offering, and as soon as Europe begins to reopen, we will be ready to welcome more customers on board.”

In the fourth quarter of 2020, Norwegian entered an examinership process in Ireland and a reconstruction process in Norway. Both processes are progressing as planned and are on track. The purpose of the processes is to reduce debt, reduce the size of the fleet and make the company financially attractive to secure new capital. Norwegian targets to reduce its debt significantly to around NOK 20 billion and to raise NOK 4 – 5 billion in new capital. In 2020, the company reduced net interest-bearing debt by NOK 18 billon, mainly through conversion to equity. Going forward, Norwegian will focus on a strong and profitable Nordic and European network. The company plans to serve these markets with approximately 50 narrow body aircraft in 2021. However, the ramp-up is dependent on the development of the pandemic, travel restrictions and government advice in key markets.

Norwegian operated 90.1 percent of its scheduled flights in the fourth quarter, whereof 94.1 percent departed on time.

Norwegian aircraft photo gallery:

Norwegian aircraft slide show:

Norwegian Air’s traffic figures for January are heavily influenced by lower demand caused by continued travel restrictions across Europe.

In January, 74,224 customers flew with Norwegian, a decrease of 96 percent compared to the same period last year. The capacity (ASK) was down 98 percent, and the total passenger traffic (RPK) was down by 99 percent. The load factor was 35.9 percent, down 45 percentage points.

Jacob Schram, CEO of Norwegian, said: “The pandemic continues to have a negative impact on our business as travel restrictions remain. We are doing everything in our power to come out of the examinership as a stronger, more competitive airline and we look forward to welcoming more customers on board as travel restrictions are lifted.”

Norwegian operated eight aircraft on average in January, mainly on domestic routes in Norway. The company operated 96.8 percent of its scheduled flights in January, whereof 90.4 percent departed on time.

Norwegian is pleased to announce that the government of Norway has decided to support and contribute to the airline’s funding of new capital, pending certain conditions. This move significantly increases Norwegian’s chances of working through the crisis caused by the pandemic and to position itself as a key player within Norwegian and European aviation.

“On behalf of everyone at Norwegian, I would like to sincerely thank the government for their support. Norwegian has been faced with a very challenging and demanding situation due to the pandemic, and the government’s support significantly increases our chances of raising new capital and getting us through the reconstruction process we are currently in. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but a participation from the government underscores that we are heading in the right direction,” said Norwegian CEO, Jacob Schram.

Norwegian entered into an Irish examinership process and a supplementary reconstruction negotiation in Norway late last year. On January 14, 2021, the airline presented a new business plan (LINK) based on a simplified business structure with a focus on a European route network and discontinuing its long-haul operations, as well as significantly reducing its debt. The plan comprises a fleet of around 50 aircraft in operation this year, and to gradually increase to approximately 70 aircraft in 2022, pending demand and potential travel restrictions. The debt will be reduced to around NOK 20 billion, and the company will raise four to five billion NOK in new capital.

“With a new business plan, and a participation from the government, we are confident we can attract investors and get through the Examinership and reconstruction process. We have received extensive support from political parties, customers, colleagues, shareholders, and business partners, for which we are extremely grateful, especially during these challenging times. Furthermore, the government’s support will contribute to help securing jobs and maintain healthy competition within the aviation sector,” added Schram.