LONDON – Long Haul, Low-Cost startup Norse Atlantic, has received operating permission for direct long-haul flights between the United Kingdom and the United States after a decision by the United States Department of Transportation.
The decision to approve comes after extensive support from both sides of the Atlantic, AFA, and multiple unions.
Road to directs
Since its premiere in June 2022, Norse Atlantic has expanded its route offerings from Norway, with new direct routes to the US from Berlin, Germany, and also London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW).
However, the Norse Atlantic UK division has remained outside of commercial operations due to a lack of their AOC (Air Operator Certificate) and OL (Operating License).
Though, the UK division of the Low-Cost operator recently got approved and granted their AOC and OL by UK Aviation regulators (CAA).
The permission following the approval enabled their UK division to operate direct flights to the United States from England, without the flight starting and ending in Oslo, for those who continue on there. However, it was all pending approval from the DoT in the U.S.
On October 17th, 2022, the United States Department of Transportation issued permission for Norse Atlantic to operate directly from the UK after getting proven Norse Atlantic was a financially and operationally sound business.
The approval is also the result of great support from unions, both sides of the Atlantic and the AFA.
Norse Atlantic’s UK division operates on one Boeing 787-9 aircraft, also with its previous roots in Norwegian after their Long Haul program went bankrupt under Covid-19.
Registered G-CKOF and based at London Gatwick (LGW), it will operate directly to your next U.S. destination, as it’s based there.
Norse’ statements
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Norse Atlantic, Bjørn Tore Larsen, commented on the approval, saying:- “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 to expanding our point-to-point route network between London Gatwick and the US as part of our summer 2023 schedule,”
Norse Atlantic’s history
Founded in February of 2021, Norse Atlantic is a new Norwegian Low-Cost Carrier in the Long Haul division.
Called the successor of Norwegian’s Long Haul program, which went bankrupt during Covid-19, Norse Atlantic is a competitor on the long haul market of the same caliber.
The carrier is headquartered in Arendal, Norway, and was founded by Bjørn Tore Larsen, with the ex-Norwegian CEO and founder Bjørn Kjos owning minority stakes in the airline.
Announced in March of 2021, the airline was hoping to start selling tickets in the fall of 2021, with hopes of commercial services beginning in December of the same year.
However, the airline was forced to delay sales and launch due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions that it carried.
The airline completed its first commercial flight on June 14th, 2022, and has since expanded its route network and fleet size.
