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Press release -

Norwegian reports record high year-end traffic figures: Carried over 37 million passengers in 2018

Norwegian reported its highest ever passenger figures in a single year with more than 37 million passengers and a load factor of 86 per cent in 2018. The launch of 35 new routes, the delivery of 25 brand new aircraft and a substantial increase of intercontinental traffic contributed considerably to the growth and a stronger global footprint. At the same time, 2018 was characterised by major investments, strong competition and a high oil price. Norwegian has implemented a series of cost-reduction measures to boost its financials in 2019.

The company carried 37.34 million passengers in 2018, an increase of 13 percent compared to the previous year. The full-year load factor was 85.8 percent, down from 87.5 percent in 2017.

During 2018, Norwegian took delivery of 25 brand new aircraft and launched 35 new routes, primarily between Europe and the U.S. South America was welcomed to our network with the launch of a direct route between London and Buenos Aires, as well as new domestic routes in Argentina. Norwegian also increased the number of frequencies on specific routes due to passenger demand, including our most popular routes operated to and from London Gatwick. As part of our planned global expansion the Norwegian group hired more than 2,000 new staff members.

Norwegian continued to receive several international customer awards in 2018, including two SkyTrax Awards: “Europe’s best low-cost carrier” for the sixth consecutive year and the “World's best low-cost long-haul airline” for the fourth year in a row. For the second time, Norwegian was named “The Most Fuel-Efficient Transatlantic Airline” by The International Council on Clean Transportation.

“The 2018 traffic figures demonstrate that our international footprint continues to grow stronger, in line with the Norwegian Group’s strategy. The company has made considerable investments this year and will now enter a period of slower growth.We have adjusted and optimised our route portfolio and the capacity going forward.We have also made seasonal adjustments for the winter,” Norwegian CEO Bjørn Kjos said.

“Continued tough competition, high oil prices and operational challenges in 2018 combined with the issues with Rolls Royce engines, which have particularly affected our long-haul operations, have had an impact on our financial results in the latter half of 2018. We have launched a series of cost-reduction measures to boost our financials in 2019 which will have an immediate and continued positive influence throughout the year.” Kjos added.

During the last period, Norwegian has hedged fuel for 2019. The company has an unrealised loss on this hedging today, which has been included in the 2018-results. Norwegian is therefore well positioned, when compared to other airlines, in regards to fuel hedging.

Read more: Update to the financial market, December 24, 2018: https://media.uk.norwegian.com/pressreleases/update-from-norwegian-air-shuttle-asa-2817995

Passenger growth in December

December 2018 was also characterised by passenger growth as Norwegian carried 2,402,005 passengers, up 15 per cent from the same month previous year. The capacity growth (ASK) was 34 percent and the traffic growth (RPK) was 24 per cent.

The load factor was 78.6 per cent.

Norwegian operated 99.1 percent of its scheduled flights in December, of which 75.7 per cent departed on time.

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Norwegian in the UK and Ireland:

  • Norwegian carries 5.8 million UK passengers each year from London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester Airports to 50 destinations worldwide
  • Norwegian is the third largest airline at London Gatwick, with 4.6 million yearly passengers, and with more than 1,000 UK-based pilots and cabin crew
  • In 2014, Norwegian introduced the UK’s first low-cost, long haul flights to the U.S. - the airline now flies to 11 U.S destinations, Buenos Aires and Singapore
  • In 2017, Norwegian also launched affordable transatlantic flights from Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Shannon to the US East Coast, using the brand new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft
  • Norwegian is the only airline to offer free inflight WiFi on UK flights to more than 30 European destinations
  • The airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world with an average age of 3.7 years, including next-generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 737-800s
  • Norwegian has been voted ‘Europe’s best low-cost carrier’ by passengers for six consecutive years at SkyTrax World Airline Awards from 2013-2018, along with being awarded the ‘World's best low-cost long-haul airline’ in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
  • Norwegian Reward is the airline's free to join award-winning loyalty programme offering members CashPoints and Rewards that reduce the cost of Norwegian flights

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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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