Tag Archives: Norwegian Long Haul

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 is coming to Oakland today

Norwegian Long Haul (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) today (May 3) launched the first nonstop flight from Stockholm (Arlanda) to Oakland, California. It is the first time that Sweden has a direct flight to the San Francisco Bay area.

The new route is operated two days a week with the Boeing 787. Oslo-Oakland service starts on May 28.

Norwegian’s other long-haul routes from Stockholm (Arlanda) and Oslo (Gardermoen) operates to New York (JFK), Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood and Bangkok. From Copenhagen the fast-growing airline operates nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles and New York (JFK).

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 EI-LNC (msn 34795) prepares to land at Stockholm (Arlanda).

Norwegian:

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 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 hires and graduates its first U.S.-based flight attendants

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian Long Haul) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) has hired and graduated its first U.S. citizen and New York-based flight attendant group. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood will soon have a base of U.S. flight attendants. The airline issued this short statement and photo on its Facebook page:

Say hi to our newest members of the Norwegian-family; cabin crew from our new base in New York. Welcome aboard!

Norwegian:

Norwegian is selling out on its trans-Atlantic Boeing 787 flights

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian Long Haul) (Oslo) is doing well with its new Long Haul Boeing 787 flights across the Atlantic Ocean despite the well-publicized early problems with the new type. The airline is now selling out these flights and has ordered more 787s to expand its long range flights according to this article by Bloomberg Businessweek.

Bloomberg Businessweek also asks the question of whether Norwegian will become the cheapest global airline?

Read this interesting article and videos: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Norwegian Air Shuttle’s (Norwegian.com) (Norwegian Long Haul) Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner EI-LNA (msn 35304) with the image of Sonja Henie departs from Bangkok.

Norwegian:

Norwegian to lease two Boeing 787-9s from MG Aviation, will operate seasonal New York-Bergen 787 flights, ALPA opposes Norwegian Air International in Ireland

Norwegian Air Shuttle (Norwegian Long Haul) (Norwegian.com) (Oslo) has entered into a lease agreement for two new Boeing 787 Dreamliners for delivery in the first quarter of 2016. The aircraft are the new model 787-9 Dreamliner, which is slightly larger than the 787-8s Norwegian currently uses on its long-haul routes.

Norwegian continues to build up its long-haul fleet for further international growth and has signed an agreement with MG Aviation Ltd. to lease two long-haul Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Norwegian plans to put the aircraft into service during the first quarter of 2016. Norwegian has three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners currently in the fleet and five more on order. Through this, the company in the future will have a fleet of 10 long-haul aircraft, including four delivered in 2014, one in 2015 and two in 2016.

Despite the early problems, “the Dreamliner is a wonderful aircraft, with high passenger comfort, long range and low fuel consumption”, says CEO Bjorn Kjos.

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 this type is scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2014.

The company MG Aviation, based in New York and is a leasing company owned by Jordache Enterprises.

In addition, Norwegian will fly one flight per week between New York (JFK) to Bergen (BGO). The first flight from BGO will start on May 3, 2014. The first flight from JFK departs on May 9, 2014 and the route will be operated until September 27, 2014.

Finally, ALPA has issued this statement opposing Norwegian attempt to establish a subsidiary called Norwegian Air International in Ireland:

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) yesterday called for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to immediately reject Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) foreign air carrier permit application because the company appears to be attempting to evade its national laws and regulations to compete unfairly against U.S. airlines and their employees. The call came in an answer that ALPA filed in response to NAI’s application.

“Norwegian Air International was clearly designed to attempt to dodge laws and regulations, starting a race to the bottom on labor and working conditions,” said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA’s president. “If successful, the company would gain a serious and unfair economic advantage over U.S. airlines in the competition for the business of international passengers flying to and from the United States. This exploitation of the laws intended to prevent labor law shopping cannot be allowed to stand.”

While Norwegian citizens control NAI, which is a subsidiary of Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS), the company uses aircraft registered in Ireland and has applied for an air operator certificate from that country. It appears that its flight crews will work under individual employment contracts that are governed by Singapore law and that have wages and working conditions substantially inferior to those of NAS’s Norway-based pilots.

“If NAS is permitted to pick and choose the countries in which it establishes its subsidiaries and employs its flight crews, U.S. carriers will be put at a severe competitive disadvantage because the United States has one set of laws and regulations for all of its airlines,” said Capt. Moak. “The U.S.-EU air services agreement was never intended to allow this type of scheme, which games the system for competitive economic advantages.”

ALPA maintains that the NAI scheme raises the specter of the “flag of convenience” business practice that undermined the U.S. maritime industry by allowing a vessel to be registered in a country different from its ownership and apply the country of registry’s laws to its operations. The practice precipitated the decline of the industry and the loss of tens of thousands of U.S. maritime jobs as companies flew the flag of countries with the weakest labor and tax laws and regulations.

Moak noted a quote by the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department in an opinion piece published today by Aviation Daily: “We must reject business models premised on scouring the globe for cheap labor no matter the consequences, and not pretend this is somehow acceptable competitive behavior.”

“The NAI scheme must be immediately and unequivocally rejected,” said Moak. “The DOT must not permit U.S. airlines and their employees to face an unfair competitive disadvantage from this runaway shop and swiftly dismiss NAI’s air carrier permit application.”

Moak also called on the Irish government to reject NAI’s attempt to register the aircraft in Ireland. “Ireland should not allow itself to be complicit in NAI’s avoidance scheme,” he concluded.

Copyright Photo: The Norwegian Long Haul Boeeing 787-8s are registered in Ireland. 787-8 EI-LNA (msn 35304) is pictured at Paine Field before the hand over.

Norwegian: