Norse Atlantic Airways Delays Full Fleet Deployment Until 2025 Summer Season

Norse Atlantic Airways has opted to delay the complete deployment of its Boeing widebody fleet until at least the summer season of 2025. The decision comes as the airline recently agreed to extend the subleases for four of its Boeing 787 aircraft, adjusting its operational strategy in response to market demands.

Specifically, three B787-8 aircraft will have their sublease periods extended by up to one year from their original return dates, with redelivery to Norse Atlantic Airways anticipated between the end of March and the end of May 2025. Additionally, a B787-9 will see a two-month sublease extension, with its return to Norse scheduled for early May 2024, just in time for the year’s summer peak season.

Norse Atlantic Airways, which currently dry-leases fifteen B787s, operates ten within its network. This includes four B787-9s under its Norwegian AOC and six B787-9s under its Norse Atlantic (United Kingdom) AOC, as indicated by the ch-aviation fleets module. The remaining aircraft, including two more B787-9s and all three B787-8s leased from AerCap, have been subleased to Air Europa since mid-2022, though Air Europa was not directly named in the airline’s latest statement.

This strategic approach has been highlighted by CEO Bjørn Tore Larsen as a way to align the airline’s capacity with the gradually recovering demand, preventing premature expansion. Despite initial expectations to operate all 15 aircraft by 2024, Norse Atlantic Airways has adjusted its plans, now aiming for a full operational fleet by 2025.

The airline emphasized the advantageous terms of its aircraft leases, secured in 2021 at historically low rates, which remain fixed for the duration of the leases without adjustments for inflation. This financial prudence, combined with the airline’s gradual growth strategy, aims to ensure Norse Atlantic Airways remains competitive and responsive to market trends.

As Norse Atlantic Airways continues to navigate the dynamic aviation market, its focus on strategic fleet management and market demand alignment underscores its commitment to sustainable growth and operational efficiency.