Norse Atlantic UK eyes US routes from summer 2023

Norse Atlantic Airways says it plans to start direct transatlantic flights between the United Kingdom and the United States in 2023 after receiving approval from the US for its British unit.

The US Department of Transport has proposed to grant Norse Atlantic UK a foreign air carrier permit, the low-cost carrier said in a statement on October 17, 2022.

“This milestone represents a huge step in creating competition in the transatlantic market that will benefit consumers, stimulate business travel and lead to job creation,” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways.

Norse Atlantic had previously planned to start US flights with the UK subsidiary from London Gatwick (LGW) by the end of 2022 but said it now hopes to start flights to points in the United States in summer 2023. Destinations will be announced soon.

Why does Norse need a UK AOC?
The short answer is Brexit. Norse Atlantic already operates flights to New York JFK from LGW with its Norwegian AOC, but using fifth freedom rights, meaning the airline has to operate it as a connecting flight from Oslo to JFK via LGW.

The UK AOC will allow it to start US flights in London, without the need for the short connecting flight to Oslo on the widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners that it operates.

“We are pleased that we will continue to deliver on our pledge to democratize transatlantic travel and we look forward [to] expanding our point-to-point route network between London Gatwick and the US as part of our summer 2023 schedule,” Larsen added.