Norse Atlantic Airways has obtained an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Operating Licence (OL) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
The move will allow the airline to begin direct flights from the United Kingdom. For Norse Atlantic, it is a key part of its business plan since the inception of the airline in March 2021.
According to the airline, there continues to be strong demand for air travel to and from the United Kingdom, particularly between the UK and the US which is the largest transatlantic market in the world. Norse is keen to operate between London Gatwick and a number of U.S. destinations, subject to further regulatory approvals, particularly serving routes that are currently not served by direct flights or lack sufficient capacity.
Two AOCs in flight
Norse Atlantic now holds two AOCs, one in Norway and another in the United Kingdom, providing greater flexibility and opportunities for the company to expand in the future from European points and the UK, in line with demand.
Flights to and from the UK will be operated by both UK and US-based cabin crew.
In Quotes
Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways said
“The United Kingdom will be a vital part of our network going forward and the granting of an AOC and Operating Licence by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to Norse Atlantic will provide further choice and affordable prices to consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. We are proud to be employing local pilots and cabin crew at our London Gatwick base and have established close working relationships with the British pilot union BALPA, the cabin crew union Unite and the American cabin crew union AFA. We look forward to ramping up our operations between London and the US ready for our Summer 2023 schedule,”
A welcome expansion, but headwinds coming in fast
Norse Atlantic Airways currently operates its Boeing 787 fleet from London Gatwick Airport, operating to New York and Oslo. The airline will look toward both leisure and business destinations (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Los Angeles are possible routes, with the airline operating to these destinations already).
However, the headwinds of a weak pound, a cost of living crunch and a fuel market that has been more than bumpy could present a real challenge for the airline.
It will be interesting to see how the airline adjusts during this time.
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