Norwegian to expand long-haul network

2. Nov 2015

by BusinessClass

Norwegian is expected to be granted a full UK operating licence next week, allowing it to expand its network of long-haul routes.

A Gatwick-based UK subsidiary is planned to begin operating cheap flights to new long-haul destinations, including India, South Africa, Argentina and Brazil, by 2017. According to an article in this morning’s

The Times

, the agreement will give the airline access to countries with a bilateral traffic pact with the British government. Norwegian, which currently operates a number of European and transatlantic services from Gatwick, will initially focus on increasing its presence in the Indian market - with routes to Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta planned - followed by South Africa, Argentina and Brazil. Speaking to the

Times,

Norwegian CEO Bjørn Kjos, said: “Securing a UK operating licence will be an important step to get a stronger foothold in the UK as we plan for further expansion, new routes and new jobs. “When the salaries come up in India you will see a huge flow of tourists or people visiting friends and relatives in the UK. You are talking about almost 1.5 billion people and you will see great flows of passengers very soon.”