‘Norway’ and ‘cheap’ are two words that rarely go together, yet this Scandinavian country is where Europe's third-largest budget airline first spread its wings: Norwegian. While the legacy carriers continue to moan about the competition from the Gulf, Norwegian is neither moaning nor complaining. On the contrary it is audaciously attempting to fight them and the Big Three in the Gulf with direct long haul flights right into the heart of North America. A special report.
In December 2016, the US DOT (Department of Transportation) finally after months of dilly-dallying approved Norwegian’s application to fly to the US. But the airline wasn’t jetting off from Oslo. It was, in fact, an Irish airline’s application to fly into the US. And many rightly wondered why on earth would an airline called “Norwegian” fly out of Ireland.
In essence that is at the heart of the dispute that both the US and the European industry have with Norwegian. Founded as a regional airline before turning itself into a low-cost operator in 2002, Norwegian was launched in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks — in a depressed market aviation was a no go. But it has survived and prospered: It flew almost 29.3 million passengers last year to 150 destinations on 120 of the newest, most economical aircraft of virtually any airline.
The Economist summed it up perfectly: “Norwegian Air, with its distinctive red-nosed, white bodied aircraft, each with a portrait of a Scandinavian ‘hero’ on the tailfin — from artist Edvard Munch to actress Greta Garbo — has 120 aircraft. A further 260 are on order and it will be using another Boeing, the new 737 Max, on its next round of flights from the UK to the US.”
NAI’s weapons — the Boeing 737Max8 and Airbus A320neo — come with the sort of fuel burn advantage that means the difference between profit and loss. The company has orders for as many as 350 of these aircraft in place. While trans-Atlantic service has traditionally been operated using large wide-body jumbo jets, the narrow-body jets are cheaper to buy, and cheaper to operate. The first of the 737Max aircraft are expected to enter service in 2017 while Norwegian is expected to see its first A320neos later this year.
Esta historia es de la edición March 2017 de Cruising Heights.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 2017 de Cruising Heights.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Jets, Tech, And Green Goals
The key themes at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 revolved around innovation and sustainability. Sizeable aircraft orders, advancements in eVTOL technology, and a strong commitment to environmental goals underscore an industry that is not only rebounding from past challenges but also setting the stage for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future, reports ATUL CHANDRA.
FREIGHT IN FLIGHT
In 2023, Indian airports handled over 3.15 million metric tonnes of cargo, with international freight dominating. As the sector aims to meet the government's ambitious annual target of 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2030, this goal will require dedicated freighter aircraft, technological integration, infrastructure development, and regulatory improvements, among other things. By JAIDEEP MIRCHANDANI, Chairman, Sky One
ELEVATING PASSENGER EXPERIENCES
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is setting new standards in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) with the launch of its state-of-the-art software design and development facility in Pune, highlights
CAUGHT IN PAPER JAM
Despite rapid digital advancements in passenger air travel with the airline market expected to surpass $35 billion by end of this decade, the air cargo industry remains bogged down by outdated legacy systems, impeding progress in efficiency and real-time tracking. A special report by
PITCHING FOR SUPPORT
India's air cargo industry is gearing up for a major transformation, aiming to nearly triple its capacity by 2030. Current infrastructure handles about 6.5 million tonnes, but meeting future goals will require significant investments to expand capacity, streamline operations, and adopt cutting-edge technologies. Industry leaders at a recent ACFI Annual Conclave emphasised the need for strong government support to overcome challenges, urging policymakers to address operational constraints and improve connectivity, reports
BATTLE FOR THE SKIES
As India's international air traffic experiences significant growth over the past few decades, the competition between Air India and IndiGo intensifies. Vistara's merger within Air India and the significant aircraft orders position the combined entity as a formidable player, while IndiGo's ambitious expansion plans and international focus set the stage for a competitive future, analyses
"We Aim to Bridge the Training Gap in Indian Aviation"
In a candid conversation with CRUISING HEIGHTS, KHUSHBEG JATTANA, General Manager India of Simaero, discusses the strategic timing of Simaero's entry into the Indian aviation market. He addresses the challenges posed by existing pilot training programmes from major airlines like Air India and IndiGo, and elaborates on Simaero's plans to complement these efforts with state-of-the-art training solutions. Jattana also sheds light on the potential growth in the South Asian region and the company's vision for the future.
POWERING UP
Urban Air Mobility providers are accelerating their eVTOL development programmes, reports
Transforming Air Traffic Control Training: CAE's Cutting-Edge Approach
In this interview, MARIE-CHRISTINE CLOUTIER, CAE's Vice-President of Performance, Strategy, and Marketing, discusses CAE's air traffic control training program. Highlighting strategic partnerships, advanced technologies, and global initiatives, the interview reveals how CAE addresses the growing demand for skilled air traffic controllers and flight service specialists. From their dedicated Montreal facility to expanding efforts across the globe, CAE is committed to providing tailored, state-of-the-art training solutions for the aviation industry's future.
POWERING A GREEN FUTURE
FIA 2024 witnessed a growing order book for aircraft engine manufacturers and provided important insights into the development of sustainable powerplants.