Founded in 2021, Norse Atlantic Airways (Norse) has received notification from the United States Department of Transport (USDOT) that the low-cost long-haul carrier’s application to enable it to fly between Norway, Europe, the United Kingdom and the USA has been approved.
The newly formed airline took delivery of the first of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in December last year, while during the same month it also received its Air Operator’s Certificate from Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority. Norse plans to commence operations in spring of this year.
Norse intends to provide low-cost flights between Norway, Europe and the USA with its fleet of more environmentally friendly aircraft, though currently there is no confirmation of which American airports it will fly to. However, its application to the USDOT was for operations between Oslo in Norway and Fort Lauderdale, Newburgh and Ontario airports, serving Miami, New York City and Los Angeles, respectively.
Norse had come under criticism from the USA as it was felt that the new carrier might be looking to operate under a similar structure to Norwegian Air Shuttle, which had circumvented Norway’s labour protections through Irish incorporation. However, Nordic had been in close discussion with unions which represented flight attendants in the United States prior to employing staff who live in the USA. In addition, Norse has established a partnership with BALPA, the British Airline Pilots Association.
