Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Norway, has reported a decrease in passenger numbers in April compared to the same period in 2022.
The airline carried 13.7% fewer passengers in April 2023 than in April 2022.
The decrease in passenger numbers is due to a number of factors, including:
- Increased ticket prices as a result of the weak Norwegian krone
- A rise in Air Passenger Duty (APD)
- A decline in demand for air travel
Widerøe CEO Stein Nilsen said that the airline was “disappointed” with the results but that they were “in line with the expectations of the industry.”
He added that the airline was “taking steps to address the challenges,” including:
- Expanding its collaboration with Norwegian
- Investing in new aircraft
- Reducing costs
Nilsen said that he was “confident” that Widerøe would “weather the storm” and that the airline would “be well-positioned for the future.”
Widerøe is not the only airline that has reported a decrease in passenger numbers in April. Norwegian Air Shuttle, the largest airline in Norway, also reported a decrease in passenger numbers.
The decline in passenger numbers is a sign of the challenges facing the aviation industry. The industry is struggling with a number of issues, including:
- The weak Norwegian krone
- The rise in APD
- The decline in demand for air travel
The aviation industry is expected to continue to face challenges in the coming months.
However, airlines are taking steps to address the challenges and are confident that they will be able to weather the storm.
