Norwegian, a European low-fares airline, is planning to launch a new route from London Gatwick to Singapore this winter as the airline’s long-haul UK network expands into Asia.
Starting September 28, Norwegian will operate four weekly flights, increasing to five in the winter, from London Gatwick to Singapore Changi Airport. Flights are now on sale at www.norwegian.com with fares from £179 one way.
Operated on Norwegian’s new 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the Gatwick-Singapore route will offer up to 344 seats in both economy and premium cabins. Premium cabin fares are available from £699 one way which includes access to No1 Lounges at Gatwick, more than a metre of legroom, complimentary meal service and a reportedly generous baggage allowance.
Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said: ‘Our transatlantic flights have shown the huge demand for affordable long-haul travel, so we are delighted to expand into new markets and offer our first route to Asia from the UK. Travel should be affordable for all so adding Singapore to our growing UK network will give passengers even more choice for affordable, quality travel to a range of global destinations.
‘The UK is at the heart of Norwegian’s ambitious plans for growth so it is a significant moment not only to launch this exciting new route, but also for it to be the first long-haul route to take to the skies with our new ‘Norwegian UK’ subsidiary.’
Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive, Gatwick Airport said: ‘These new direct flights between two of the world’s top three financial centres will be welcome news for business travellers, particularly at a time when global trade is increasingly important for the UK economy. Singapore is also a key tourist destination and gateway hub for long-haul travellers looking to venture further into Southeast Asia and Australia.
‘I’m delighted that Norwegian has responded to this demand and added such a premier destination to its growing long haul network from Gatwick. Crucially, Norwegian continues to make important destinations like Singapore much more affordable and easier to reach for a wider range of passengers. As our 50-strong world route network expands, so too does Gatwick’s reputation on the global stage as a strong, dependable option for international travel.’
Lee Seow Hiang, CEO, Changi Airport Group said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Norwegian to Changi’s portfolio of airlines in September; it will enhance options for Changi Airport’s passengers as well as attract more UK visitors to Singapore. With changing consumer preferences and an improvement in aircraft technology, low-cost carriers have taken the opportunity to expand into the long-haul market. We will continue to work with our airline partners to exploit other such opportunities to grow their operations at Changi.’
Norwegian carries 5.2 million UK passengers each year from four UK airports to more than 50 global destinations. The airline already offers flights from London Gatwick to nine U.S destinations including newly announced routes to Seattle and Denver.
