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Norwegian reports a result of 1 billion NOK (£94million) and passenger growth for the third quarter

Press release -

Norwegian reports a result of 1 billion NOK (£94million) and passenger growth for the third quarter

Norwegian (NAS) today reported its third quarter results for 2017. The net result was 1 billion NOK (£94million), an improvement of 4 per cent compared to the same quarter previous year. The load factor increased to 92 per cent. The passenger development has been positive in all of Norwegian’s key markets, with a significant growth in the U.S. and Spain.

The third quarter was characterised by strong international passenger growth and a high load factor, as well as fleet growth- and renewal. The company carried 9.8 million passengers, an increase of 14 per cent compared to the same quarter previous year. The US and Spain reported the highest increase in number of passengers, 79 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. The load factor increased to 91.7 per cent and the capacity growth (ASK) was 25 per cent.

In total, 10 new aircraft entered the fleet, whereof 4 Boeing 737 MAX, 1 Boeing 737-800 and 5 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. A new and modern fleet of aircraft combined with a high load factor reduce emissions per passenger kilometre. In the third quarter, the total emissions per passenger kilometre was reduced by 2 per cent.

Strong liquidity

Norwegian’s total revenue this quarter was 10 billion NOK (£940million), compared to 8.3 billion NOK the same quarter last year. The company has strong liquidity with 5.6 billion NOK (£526million) in cash at the end of the third quarter.

Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos said: “I am pleased with the passenger growth and high load factor this quarter. During our 15 years in the skies, almost 210 million passengers have chosen Norwegian. An increasing number of passengers in the US, Spain and other parts of the world considerably contribute to the growth, which proves that our global strategy is being realised.

“However, we have had major additional costs related to wet-leasing and compensation paid to passengers affected by delays, significantly affecting the quarterly result. But looking ahead, the ticket sales are satisfactory both on established and new routes.”

During the quarter, Norwegian launched 14 new intercontinental routes, including Singapore, Denver and Seattle as new destinations. Other highlights included the company’s British subsidiary, Norwegian Air UK, receiving a US Foreign Air Carrier Permit and the launch of a partnership with easyJet. Together with UNICEF, Norwegian conducted a humanitarian aid flight with a brand-new Dreamliner, carrying aid for 300,000 children in Yemen. This is the fourth humanitarian flight in four years.

For detailed information, please see pdf attached.

Media Contacts:

VP Communications Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen, tel. 45 45 60 12
Acting CFO Tore Østby, tel. +47 99 54 64 00

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Norwegian.com

The Norwegian group is a leading Nordic aviation company, headquartered at Fornebu outside Oslo, Norway. The company has over 8,200 employees and owns two of the prominent airlines in the Nordics: Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe’s Flyveselskap. Widerøe was acquired by Norwegian in 2024, aiming to facilitate seamless air travel across the two airline’s networks.

Norwegian Air Shuttle, the largest Norwegian airline with around 4,700 employees, operates an extensive route network connecting Nordic countries to key European destinations. In 2023, Norwegian carried over 20 million passengers and maintained a fleet of 87 Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Widerøe’s Flyveselskap, Norway’s oldest airline, is Scandinavia’s largest regional carrier. The airline has more than 3,500 employees. Mainly operating the short-runway airports in rural Norway, Widerøe operates several state contract routes (PSO routes) in addition to its own commercial network. In 2023, the airline had 3.3 million passengers and a fleet of 48 aircraft, including 45 Bombardier Dash 8’s and three Embraer E190-E2's. Widerøe Ground Handling provides ground handling services at 41 Norwegian airports.

The Norwegian group has sustainability as a key priority and has committed to significantly reducing carbon emissions from its operations. Among numerous initiatives, the most noteworthy is the investment in production and use of fossil-free aviation fuel (SAF). Norwegian strives to become the sustainable choice for its passengers, actively contributing to the transformation of the aviation industry.

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