New Scandinavian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways has inked an agreement with the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) that they hope will lead to hundreds of new UK jobs. The new airline is targeting flights launching from Europe and North America in 2022, with a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. BALPA's National Officer Terry Brandon, said: "This is a glimmer of hope for the struggling UK aviation industry that is much needed. We are pleased to welcome Norse Atlantic to London and the new jobs they will deliver at this critical time." The two parties haven't disclosed how many positions Norse expects to create at the London base. "Our negotiating team has been incredibly impressed with the company's business plan as it will provide sustainable long-term careers for our members on its transatlantic route network." "We are thrilled to be collaborating with BALPA to offer pilots the opportunity to return to the cockpit and create hundreds of new jobs in the UK, especially following a tough time for the entire aviation industry," said Norse Atlantic´s CEO Bjorn Tore Larsen.  

Norse Atlantic Airways (“Norse”) and the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) have entered into an agreement that will deliver hundreds of jobs in the UK.

 

Norse plans to commence affordable flights between Europe and North America in 2022, with a fleet of more environmentally friendly Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

 

Norse Atlantic Airways´ CEO Bjorn Tore Larsen said:

 

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with BALPA to offer pilots the opportunity to return to the cockpit and create hundreds of new jobs in the UK, especially following a tough time for the entire aviation industry.”

 

“The passion and professionalism demonstrated by the BALPA team are exactly what we are looking for at Norse as we build a Team Norse culture throughout the entire airline which will be our lasting competitive advantage.”

 

BALPA’s National Officer Terry Brandon, said:

 

“This is a glimmer of hope for the struggling UK aviation industry that is much needed. We are pleased to welcome Norse Atlantic to London and the new jobs they will deliver at this critical time.”

 

“Our negotiating team has been incredibly impressed with the company’s business plan as it will provide sustainable long-term careers for our members on its transatlantic route network. This collective agreement will facilitate a fruitful relationship between BALPA and Norse to ensure that Norse is a great place to work.”

 

“With some government restrictions now being lifted, we hope the newest member of the BALPA family flourishes, and our new agreement with Norse provides opportunities for hundreds of our members.”

Seabourn Venture's new inaugural itineraries, the Wild & Ancient British Isles Voyage and Scottish and Norse Legends Expedition, setting sail in April 2022 are now live for booking. The first of the line's purpose-built expedition vessels, Seabourn Venture is scheduled to depart for its inaugural voyage on April 10, 2022, exploring the UK with a 12-day Inaugural Wild & Ancient British Isles voyage from Greenwich to Leith (Edinburgh). The ship will then sail on a 12-day Scottish and Norse Legends Expedition out of Leith on April 22, 2022, This is an international sailing exploring both coastal Scotland and  Norway. From Tromso, Seabourn Venture will embark on its previously announced deployment for its first summer season in the Arctic, starting on May 4, 2022. The ship will set sail in the Arctic  sxploring destinations in Svalbard, the North Cape and other locations in Norway, as well as Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Guests are able to combine the two new itineraries into a 24-day British Isles &  Norse Legends Expedition voyage. "We're looking forward to the dawn of a new era of expedition cruising, and our inaugural Seabourn Venture itineraries through the British Isles, Scotland and Norway are the perfect beginning," said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. Highlights from Seabourn Venture's inaugural voyages include a call in Dublin, the island of Iona, watching puffins on Lunga Island and archaeological sites on the Orkney Islands. The Scottish and Norse Legends Expedition includes Mousa, Bergen, Lofoten Islands by zodiac and the Vega Archipelago.  

London Gatwick Airport gained a jobs boost, following news that Norse Atlantic Airways will start operating from the airport next year. It is a much needed boost for the UK aviation industry, as the sector navigates its way out of the pandemic, says union Unite. Unite says the airline is expected to hire former employees of Norwegian Air UK which stopped its UK operations earlier this year. Photo credit:  Norse Unite regional officer Claire Simpson said: "It is a much needed boost for Gatwick Airport in particular and the UK aviation sector generally which is still going through a torrid time economically." "Norse Atlantic Airways is looking to start operations next year and this will be a vital opportunity for former Norwegian Air Resources employees, many of them Unite members, who were made redundant in January." "Unite met with Norse Atlantic Airways last week and is set to agree a timetable for further discussions on the collective bargaining agreements for our members, following the signing of the recognition agreement earlier this year," Simpson added.

  Photo credit: Norse New low-cost Scandinavian startup Norse Atlantic Airways is targeting early 2022 to launch flights. Norse was only established in March this year and plans to fly transatlantic from London, Oslo and Paris to New York, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, FL. CEO Bjorn Tore Larsen, said it hopes have its entire fleet of 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners operational by the summer of 2022. The airline will start a recruitment drive for pilots and crew by the end of this year.   Read full story

Norse Atlantic Airways today gave an update on its plans to launch low-cost long-haul operations. The company believes that demand for transatlantic travel will be back by late Q1 or early Q2 and anticipates that all its 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be flying customers between Europe and the U.S. next summer.

 

“We strongly believe that there is a need for a new and innovative airline serving the low-cost intercontinental market with modern, more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient aircraft as the world gradually reopens. Our plans are on track and operations will commence when travel restrictions are lifted and demand for transatlantic travel is back,” said CEO Bjørn Tore Larsen.

 

“Based on the current situation, we anticipate that all our 15 Dreamliners will be flying customers between Europe and the U.S. next summer. We will launch our ticket sales approximately three months prior to first flight and will offer exciting destinations that have proven to be attractive,” Larsen added.

 

Since its launch in March, there has been tremendous interest in Norse from the travelling public, people who want to be a part of the team, airports, tourism organizations, media, politicians, and authorities – on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

“We are grateful for that interest, which translates to a very motivated Team Norse,” said Larsen.

 

All employees will be permanently employed by the airline. The company emphasizes a fruitful employer-employee relationship and has entered into an agreement with the largest U.S. flight attendants’ union, AFA. In addition, the company is in dialogue with unions in other countries.

 

The management team and all nominated postholders required to obtain an air operator’s certificate (AOC) are in place. Norse has applied for a Norwegian AOC and is in the process of applying for a British AOC.

 

Norse will have approximately 1,600 employees by summer 2022.

 

Aircraft livery and brand

 

Norse also today presented its livery and basic elements of its brand. A small in-house team and a local agency have developed the first part of the brand identity.

 

“Like the Norsemen who traveled and explored the world with their state-of-the art longships, Norse Atlantic Airways will give people the opportunity to explore other continents by offering affordable flights on board modern and more environmentally friendly Boeing 787 Dreamliners,” said Larsen. For more information and to download images, please visit www.flynorse.com.

 

Media Contact:

Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen, [email protected]

Bjorn Kjos, founder of low cost carrier Norwegian Air has a new airline venture. As Norwegian Air fights for its future, Kjos unveiled new startup Norse Atlantic Airways. The airline hopes to launch later this year. Kjos has 15% ownership of the new airline which plans to fly Boeing 787 Dreamliners on transatlantic routes, plugging a gap left by Norwegian Air's exit from the long haul market. CEO Bjorn Larsen sys it has a 'historic opportunity' to build a new airline from scratch ready for a post-pandemic launch.   Read full story