Norse Atlantic Airways Receives Air Operator’s Certificate Ahead of Spring 2022 Launch

A Norse Atlantic Airways 787-9 (Photo: Norse Atlantic Airways | Malcolm Nason)

[ News ]December 30, 2021 7:00 am ET

By John Flett

Norse Atlantic Airways has had a busy few weeks in the lead up to the commencement of operations in early 2022. The start-up based in Arendal, Norway was granted an air operator’s certificate (AOC) by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday. The AOC approval certifies that Norse Atlantic Airways has the personnel, assets and systems in place to meet the required safety standards of the national authority and commence commercial flight operations.

“We’ve had a good and constructive dialogue with Norse throughout the process of issuing a Norwegian AOC. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to a continued fruitful relationship going forward,” Lars E. de Lange Kobberstad, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authorities of Norway, said in a statement.

“We would like to thank Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority for a constructive and professional process,” Norse CEO and Founder Bjørn Tore Larsen said in a release. “We are now one important step closer to launching our attractive and affordable flights between Europe and the U.S. in spring next year.”

Norse Atlantic’s website is yet to open ticket sales to destinations from Oslo, Norway that are expected to include airports in Los Angeles, New York and Florida. London and Paris are also showing on the website as destinations but as yet have not had sectors loaded into the system for sale.

On Dec. 20, the airline took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft leased from Singapore-based aircraft lessor BOC Aviation. The arrival of the aircraft is the first of 12 787-9s and three 787-8s that will be based at Oslo Airport with further deliveries slated to extend through April. Norse Atlantic’s aircraft will be named after Norwegian national parks with the first of the 15 aircraft being named Rondane.

According to a press release from the airline, “The aircraft lease is at attractive rates and payment terms, allowing the company a flexible implementation during start-up of its operation, with Norse only paying on a ‘power by the hour’ basis at the outset.”

“We believe that transatlantic travel will resume with full force once the pandemic is behind us,” Larsen said, striking an optimistic note as his first aircraft arrived. “People will want to explore new destinations, visit friends and family and travel for business. Norse will be there to offer attractive and affordable flights on our more environmentally friendly Dreamliners to both the leisure and cost-conscious business traveler.”

Norse Atlantic Airways is currently recruiting for positions based at the airline’s head office in Arendal, Norway and an office in London, United Kingdom. Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen, the airline’s chief communications and public affairs officer, has said that once all 15 aircraft are in operation, the airline is expected to have 1,600 employees.

Author
Recent Posts

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry.

During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team that created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, balancing a mix of corporate and social content.

John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a Masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. He has been the course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university and a member of Heathrow Community Trust’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

John is currently living in Canada and is contracted as an external instructor for aviation-related organizations.

Author

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content. John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John has held the positions of course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and has been a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.
View all posts