Norwegian start-up airline Norse Atlantic Airways was given a green light to start operating international flights to the United States.
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) approved Norse Atlantic Airways' application for the operation of flight services between the European Union and the US. According to the airline's statement dated January 14, 2022, the newcomer aims to launch transatlantic commercial flights in the upcoming spring of 2022 with the first flights connecting Oslo, Norway, and a few destinations in the US, including New York and Florida.
“We are thrilled by the Department of Transportation’s approval of our affordable transatlantic flights. This significant milestone brings Norse one step closer to launching affordable and more environmentally friendly service to customers traveling between Europe and the United States,“ the Norse CEO and Founder Bjorn Tore Larsen said in the statement.
The start-up carrier also outlined that it plans to offer long-haul flights between Europe and US for both leisure and business travelers with its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft.
"Norse Atlantic will deliver many jobs to American workers, including hundreds of U.S.-based flight attendants, and will partner with local communities, tourism organizations, businesses, and labor to stimulate economic growth in regions throughout the United States and Europe. In May, Norse Atlantic reached a historic pre-hire agreement with the U.S. Association of Flight Attendants," the company's statement reads.
Earlier in December 2021, Norse Atlantic Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which the company leased from BOC Aviation. The Norwegian carrier aims to grow its fleet to 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, and three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, all of which will serve non-stop routes. The airline also aims to lease six of the 787-9 Dreamliners from BOC. The remaining nine jets will come from AerCap.
Jet deliveries should continue until April 2022. All planes will be parked at the Norse Atlantic base at Oslo Airport (OSL) in Norway until the launch of services.
The low-cost carrier received Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority on December 29, 2021.