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Norwegian reports strong passenger growth and high load factors in August

Press release -

Norwegian reports strong passenger growth and high load factors in August

Norwegian reported strong passenger growth as it carried more than 3.6 million passengers in August. The total number of passengers increased by 10 percent compared to the same month previous year. The load factor was approximately 90 percent on the entire route network and 94 percent on the company’s long-haul routes, operated by 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Norwegian carried3,615,319 passengers in August, an increase of 335,794 passengers (10 percent) compared to the same month last year. The total traffic growth (RPK) increased by 31 percent this month, driven by a 33 percent capacity growth (ASK). The load factor was 89.6 percent on the entire route network and 94 percent on Norwegian’s long-haul routes, which are operated by 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

"We are very pleased that an increasing number of passengers choose Norwegian for their travels. I’d particularly like to point out our long-haul routes where the demand is high and continues to increase, not least between London and the US and Paris and the US. We also see that more passengers from other continents connect to other destinations in Norwegian’s route network, which underlines the importance of a strong and seamless operation across the airline," said CEO Bjørn Kjos of Norwegian.

"I am also pleased to see that despite a high increase in available seats, we are filling the planes. Our capacity growth is still high, but in line with our strategy, the growth will slow down compared to previous months. We have been through a long period of strong growth and going forward we will reap what we have sown for the benefit of our customers, staff and shareholders," Kjos continues.

Norwegian operated 99.4 percent of the scheduled flights in August, whereof 75.6 percent departed on time.

Norwegian’s fleet renewal program continues in 2018. The company took delivery of one Boeing 737 MAX 8 this month. In total, this year Norwegian will take delivery of 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners,12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and two Boeing 737-800 aircraft.  With an average age of only 3.7 years, Norwegian’s fleet is one of the world’s "greenest" and most modern.  The single most important action an airline can take to reduce its environmental footprint, is to invest in new aircraft and new technology.

Please find traffic figures report in the attached pdf.


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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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Marketing/sponsorhip requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Marketing/sponsorhip requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Press contact Marketing/sponsorship requests: marketing@norwegian.com

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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