Norse has adjusted its launch of ticket sales and initial route offering; the company plans ticket sales to commence in April and first flight is expected to be in June 2022.
At the same time, the Company has secured important slots at London Gatwick Airport.
“The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine creates uncertainties within international air transport that we take seriously,” said CEO and Founder Bjørn Tore Larsen of Norse.
“Norse’s flexible fleet arrangements, low cost base and strong financial foundation allow us to take a careful approach to launch.
“We are in a unique position as we have not yet started flying, which gives us the advantage to enter the market cautiously in line with demand and quickly adapt to unforeseen events.
“A gradual approach where ramp-up is exclusively driven by demand, will enable us to preserve our strong, debt-free balance sheet and cost base.”
Norse intends to commence flights in June, flying between Norway and select destinations in the U.S. It plans to add other European destinations, such as Paris and London, as soon as the market situation allows.
Recently securing important slots at London Gatwick Airport gives the airline access to one of the most attractive markets in Europe.
The slots were awarded to Norse at no cost by the UK airport slots coordinator.
“We’re thrilled to have been awarded slots to operate flights to and from London Gatwick Airport as it gives us access to a very attractive market,” Larsen said.
“We look forward to working closely with the great team at Gatwick Airport”.
The route network will be announced when ticket sales are launched.
“We have the necessary flexibility to quickly adapt to unforeseen events and ramp up with more aircraft and affordable flights to exciting destinations as soon as the market situation allows,” Larsen said.
“A highly motivated Team Norse and the fact that we currently only pay for our aircraft when they are in operation also gives us a competitive advantage”.
“The current global situation makes it challenging to predict the demand for transatlantic travel.
“However, we strongly believe that the demand will bounce-back with full force because people will want to explore new destinations, visit friends and family and travel for business.
“Norse will be there to offer attractive and affordable flights on our more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliners to both leisure and cost-conscious business travelers”.
