Norse Atlantic UK – the UK-based subsidiary of Norse Atlantic Airways has been given the authorisation to commence flights by the US Department of Transport to operate flights between the United Kingdom and the US.
This follows the issuing of an Air Operators Certificate from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. With this jigsaw piece in place, it will now pave the way for the company to commence direct transatlantic operations between the United Kingdom and the United States.
The move has been made with support from both US and UK organisations with AFA, Cockpit Association of Norway, BALPA and Unite unions on side as well as airports, business leaders, politicians and others.
It will now be possible for Norse to to plan routes between London Gatwick and the U.S. that will benefit consumers, businesses and local economies – as well as its own pocket
The US DOT highlighted that Norse Atlantic UK had demonstrated that it was a financially and operationally sound business. They also concluded that it was clearly in the interest of US citizens that Norse UK be allowed to operate.
In Quotes
Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways in response to the decision said:
“We are very thankful for the support that we have received on both sides of the Atlantic throughout our application. This milestone represents a huge step in creating competition in the transatlantic market that will benefit consumers, stimulate business travel and lead to job creation. We are pleased that we will continue to deliver on our pledge to democratize transatlantic travel and we look forward expanding our point-to-point route network between London Gatwick and the US as part of our summer 2023 schedule”
A quiet winter first
Norse Atlantic has paired back its network a bit, as demand has changed for the winter season – along with people having less in their pockets in general, leaving it in a position where conserving cash over the winter is not a bad idea.
The Challenge of Low-Cost transatlantic travel is well known and documented at this point, with various airlines having been and gone due to cost pressures.
Norse Atlantic is trying to ride out these changes with a leased 787 fleet, two levels of service with three levels of fares in those fare classes.
If the airline can make it through the winter – and the demand exists in 2023, we can hope the airline will flourish.
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I hope the Airline of Many Bjorns is successful, but the Orlando cut to seasonal is worrying – if between local demand and their (limited?) partnership with Norwegian Air Shuttle they can’t maintain at least a two- or three-times-weekly service for northern Europeans looking to escape the packs of polar bears suggests a fundamental lack of demand.
Perhaps NAUK will help, especially if they lean into their partnerships – feed from easyJet at LGW and to Spirit at FLL.