Norse eyes expansion after securing UK operating licence
Tom ParryLow-cost transatlantic carrier Norse Atlantic Airways has promised more routes after being granted a UK licence.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has granted the Norwegian carrier an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
Norse now holds three AOCs – one in the UK and two in Norway. It launched flights from Gatwick to JFK in August using a Norwegian licence, with flights originating in Oslo stopping to pick up passengers in the UK in order to comply with regulations.
The granting of the separate UK licence means the carrier no longer has to begin its Gatwick flights in Norway and can station aircraft and crews at its London base.
However, Norse is likely to steer away from increasing Gatwick frequencies to New York as four carriers will compete to JFK from next April.
This follows the announcement of the return of Delta to Gatwick, which will operate a daily JFK flight. Delta will also compete against JetBlue and British Airways on the Gatwick-New York run.
One compensation for Norse is that Virgin Atlantic has confirmed it will not return to Gatwick until 2025 at the earliest.
Norse said it was keen to plot expansion to a number of US destinations, “subject to further regulatory approvals” and particularly routes not served by direct flights or lacking sufficient capacity.
Chief executive Bjorn Tore Larsen said the UK would be “a vital part” of the carrier’s future network and claimed the airline had “established close working relationships” with UK pilot union Balpa and crew union Unite.
“We look forward to ramping up our operations between London and the US ready for our Summer 2023 schedule,” added Larsen.
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Tom Parry
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