Norse Atlantic Airways Can Now Operate Outside UK

Norse Atlantic Airways, a low-cost long-distance carrier, has received authorisation for flights out of the UK.

The airline has been given an operating permit and an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Norse Atlantic currently has two AOCs—one in Norway and one in the UK—which gives it more flexibility and potential to grow in the future from European locations and the UK, as needed.

Subject to additional regulatory permissions, the airline is eager to fly between Gatwick and a number of US cities, with a focus on routes that aren’t currently covered by direct flights or don’t have enough space. In August, the first service was launched.

Both UK- and US-based cabin crew will operate flights to and from the UK.

The airline believes there is still a high demand for travel, especially between the UK and the US, and that it plans to fly two-class Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Bjorn Tore Larsen, the company’s CEO, said: “The United Kingdom will be a vital part of our network going forward and the granting of an AOC and operating licence by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to Norse Atlantic will provide further choice and affordable prices to consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. 

“We are proud to be employing local pilots and cabin crew at our London Gatwick base and have established close working relationships with the British pilot union Balpa, the cabin crew union Unite and the American cabin crew union Afa. 

“We look forward to ramping up our operations between London and the US ready for our summer 2023 schedule.”