Beseiged low-cost carrier Norwegian is turning its post-pandemic gaze back westwards. It has now scheduled seven transatlantic routes from London’s Gatwick airport from December 9th.
Seven transatlantic routes
While troubled Norwegian previously made the grim forecast it would be returning to long-haul service only in spring next year; it seems things are looking a little brighter than anticipated.
As reported by Routesonline, the carrier’s UK branch intends to re-launch seven transatlantic routes from London Gatwick beginning December 9th. While this is subject to change, the preliminary services out of the London airport for the winter schedule are as follows:
London Gatwick – Boston 1 daily (5 weekly 07JAN21 – 27MAR21)
London Gatwick – Los Angeles 9 weekly (5 weekly 11JAN21 – 14FEB21)
London Gatwick – Miami 1 daily (5 weekly 12JAN21 – 22FEB21)
London Gatwick – New York JFK 3 daily (16 weekly 09JAN21 – 27MAR21)
London Gatwick – Orlando 6 weekly (3 weekly 11JAN21 – 21FEB21)
London Gatwick – San Francisco 4 weekly (3 weekly 19JAN21 – 23FEB21)
London Gatwick – Tampa 3 weekly (2 weekly 11JAN21 – 27MAR21)
When approached for a comment, a Norwegian spokesperson provided Simple Flying with this statement,
“Long Haul operations remain very much part of the New Norwegian strategy on proven routes between key destinations. We continue to monitor the latest government travel restrictions and guidance in line with current passenger demand and will announce the resumption of operations when it is appropriate to do so.”
Back in the swing in Europe
Norwegian has also been ramping up its European operations this month, with 758 weekly flights out of Bergen, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Stockholm, with the addition of some Norwegian regional routes.
Two of these, London – Oslo (daily), and London – Copenhagen (five per week), have already seen Norwegian return to Gatwick’s runways.
The “New Norwegian”
Back in May, Norwegian completed a recapitalization that handed over control of the company to aircraft lessors and bondholders, following dramatic negotiations that left shareholders with a mere 5.2% of the company.
The carrier also managed to secure a state-guaranteed loan of NOK 3 billion ($319 million) as a result of the restructuring. However, Norwegian, troubled by financial woes before the corona-crisis, has said it will likely need more capital if it is to survive.
The low-cost carrier launched the concept of the “New Norwegian” in April. In it, the airline envisions a reduced fleet of between 110 and 120 aircraft, about 30% less than pre-COVID numbers. During its “hibernation” phase at the height of pandemic-induced travel restrictions, the airline operated a mere seven.
Much-needed traffic for Gatwick
Gatwick Airport is facing a rocky future. Only two of its major operators, easyJet and Norwegian, have returned up until now, and very tentatively at that. British Airways had first said it was thinking of closing down its Gatwick base but is currently set to return the coming weekend, albeit initially only flying to select Caribbean holiday destinations. Virgin Atlantic has already announced it will not be returning to the airport.
