AAirlines

Founder Norwegian launches new low-cost airline.

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Bjørn Kjos pioneered low-cost transatlantic air travel with Norwegian. Now, less than two years after stepping down as CEO of the airline, he is trying again. His new company, Norse Atlantic Airways, aims to begin operations by the end of 2021.

See also: Norwegian presents final reconstruction plan to shareholders and creditors.

Together with well-known investors Bjørn Tore Larsen and Bjørn Kise, Kjos unveiled the project in a press release, Forbes reported.

Kjos grew Norwegian from a small local carrier to one of Europe’s largest low-cost airlines and a big name in long-haul aviation, especially across the Atlantic.

See also: Lufthansa suffers record losses in 2020 due to pandemic.

Not to be confused with Atlantic Airways, based in the Faroe Islands. Norse Atlantic Airways aims to fill the void left by Norwegian’s departure from long-haul services. The new airline will even use the same aircraft – Boeing 787 Dreamliners – that Norwegian operated on its transatlantic routes, but there are no details yet on specific route plans.

Will it succeed where Norwegian and many others have failed and create a sustainable business model based on low-cost, long-haul aviation? This is a difficult question.

Norwegian’s low fares were loved by many passengers, but a series of technical problems plagued the airline. In 2019, it suffered setbacks with the Rolls-Royce engines used in its Dreamliners and the global grounding of the 737 Max fleet.

Norse’s surprise announcement marks the entry of another airline into the crowded Scandinavian aviation market.

By David Nikel

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