Norwegian reports strong production growth and record high load factor

The second quarter figures also reflect Norwegian's growth strategy and the company's goal to fill all its new seats. Despite significant costs related to the start-up of the long-haul operation and higher costs due to the weak Norwegian currency, the unit cost (CASK) is down, strengthening Norwegian's competitive advantage further. Over the past year, Norwegian has introduced seven Dreamliner aircraft to its long-haul operation.

The total revenue in the second quarter was over 5 BNOK, up 26 percent from the same quarter last year. The pre-tax result (EBT) was -137 MNOK. 6.4 million passengers chose to travel with Norwegian during the second quarter, which is an increase of 16 percent and almost 900 000 passengers more than the same period last year. The company's traffic growth (RPK) was considerably higher at 46 percent, which reflects that each of Norwegian's passengers on average flies significantly longer than they did a year ago.

Record high load factor

Norwegian realized a strong production growth (ASK) of 41 percent. The growth is, naturally, stronger in new markets. Despite Norwegian's strong capacity growth, the company is still filling its seats. The load factor in this quarter was 80 percent, up three percentage points from the same quarter last year, which is record high for a second quarter.

"This quarter, we see clear results of the company's strategy. Over the past year, we have established a long-haul operation and we have opened several new bases in Europe. More than half of our 417 routes are currently operated outside Norway, which illustrates a significant international expansion over the past year. At the same time, we have managed to cut costs, which is essential in such a competitive, global business as the aviation industry. We have, however, had significant, one-off expenses. Both wet lease of aircraft and the strike from labour union Parat has affected the result significantly. There is also a high competitive pressure, particularly in the Scandinavian market," said Norwegian's CEO Bjørn Kjos.

Norwegian voted third best in the world

Norwegian was recently awarded the title "Europe's best low-cost carrier" for the second year running by the renowned SkyTrax World Airline Awards, where the passengers themselves decide the winners. Norwegian also came third in the vote for "World's best low-cost carrier", only beaten by AirAsia and AirAsia X.

"The most important evidence of customer satisfaction is the fact that more and more people choose to fly with Norwegian," said Bjørn Kjos.