Budget airline buys new, larger Dreamliners
Budget airline Norwegian is to boost its long-haul fleet by leasing three of the new, larger Dreamliner aircraft which is due to enter commercial service next year.
Two of Norwegian’s new Boeing 787-9s will be delivered in 2016 and one in 2017.
Norwegian already has five 787-8s and another three on order, plus orders for six 787-9s.
With the new order announced today, Norwegain will have 17 long-haul aircraft by 2018.
The 787-9 carries 20% more passengers and significantly more cargo than the original model, burns 8% less fuel per seat and can fly longer.
In the first quarter of the year, Norwegian saw revenues leap 22%, compared with the first three months of 2013, and carried 4.9 million passenger, a growth of 24%.
It made a loss of 813 million NOK (£80m) during the quarter, which the airline attributed to £7.7 million additional costs relating to its long-haul operating, including wet-leasing aircraft and extra fuel, as well as costs for accommodation and food and drink for delayed passengers affected by the technical and operational problems associated with the long-haul operation.
CEO Bjørn Kjos said:"Traditionally, the first quarter is seasonally weak and in addition the figures have been significantly affected by a weak Norwegian currency against the dollar and the euro.
"Also, the wet-lease of aircraft has negatively impacted the quarterly result. On the positive side, the passenger growth is strong and the load factor continues to rise, even with the company’s strong production growth. The strong competition in Norway reflects the prices, but Norwegian is becoming increasingly equipped to meet this competition."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025