Norwegian Air Shuttle, a Norway-based airline company, will be establishing a new base at the London Gatwick airport in the UK.
The airline is planning to base three of its aircraft at Gatwick airport, and will be offering 14 new routes from the airport to European destinations including Nice, Marseille, Rome, Barcelona, Faro, Split and Dubrovnik. The base will be operational in 2013.
The airline is also planning to expand its existing services from London Gatwick to Oslo from three flights to four flights per day, and to Stockholm from three flights to five daily services.
Stewart Wingate, the chief executive officer for Gatwick Airport, said, ‘We are delighted that Norwegian has chosen to grow its operations out of Gatwick by establishing its UK base here. Since Norwegian moved its Scandinavian routes from Stansted to Gatwick a few years ago we have worked hard to make that move a success. Their decision to establish their UK base at Gatwick demonstrates the strength of Gatwick’s offering to airlines.’
The airline chief executive officer, Bjorn Kjos, said, ‘By establishing a new base in London, Norwegian will be positioned to meet the future competition on short-haul routes within Europe as well as long-haul routes globally. Growth and volumes are necessary to stay competitive in the airline industry.’
London Gatwick airport is currently focused on its plan to become a world-class airport that offers an excellent passenger experience. The airport authorities have invested £650 million in new facilities that include car parks, check in desks, security areas, departure lounges, as well as business travel facilities.
