The firm says its liquidity position improved to NOK 9.5 billion at year-end, which means shareholders will get a dividend of about 60 øre per share.
For the full year of 2023, the operating margin was 9 percent, also a record high for the company. For the fourth quarter of 2023, the company delivered an operating profit (EBIT) of NOK 328 million. Profit before tax (EBT) amounted to NOK 1,804 million for the full-year of 2023 and NOK 208 million for the quarter. The Norwegian fleet comprised 87 aircraft at year-end, of which 20 aircraft were the latest 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
“I am thrilled to announce that Norwegian achieved all-time high profits for 2023. Our loyal customer base continued to grow, and we are grateful for their trust in us. Colleagues across the entire company have worked tirelessly to ensure operational excellence, ranging from the planning of our network and services to everyday execution,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.
More passengers, higher load factor
Norwegian had 4.7 million passengers in the quarter, up from 4.6 million passengers in the fourth quarter of 2022. Production (ASK) was 7.1 billion seat kilometres, while passenger traffic (RPK) was 6.0 billion seat kilometres. Compared to the previous quarter, capacity was down 32 percent as the company reduced its production to match seasonally lower demand during the winter period. The quarterly load factor was 84.4 percent, up three percentage points from the same period the previous year.
Punctuality, share of flights departing on schedule, was 81.5 percent, down from 82.3 percent in the same period the previous year. While punctuality fell in December as winter weather condition impacted operational performance at key airports, the airline managed through relentless efforts to ensure that close to all passengers made it home for the festive period. Cirium, the global aviation consultancy named Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) Europe's most on-time airline in October and the fifth most punctual airline for 2023. It also ranked the airline as Europe’s top performer on regularity.
Widerøe acquisition completed
In January, Norwegian completed the acquisition of Widerøe, a regional carrier in Norway with a fleet of 48 aircraft, predominately turboprops. The acquisition of Widerøe will enable the linking of complementary route networks, create significant operational synergies, and provide Norwegian with additional diversification through Widerøe's substantial public service obligation (PSO) operations.
“We are now in the process of onboarding Widerøe as part of the Norwegian group. I very much look forward to exchange decades of experience between the two airlines. This will enable us to go to the market with an improved and more comprehensive offering to our customers,” said Karlsen.
Dividend and outlook
The Board of Directors intends to propose a dividend of NOK 0.60 per share for 2023 to the annual general meeting in 2024. Distribution of the dividend is subject to approval from holders of the company’s debt instruments. If such approval is not obtained, the Board proposes to set aside the dividend amount in a fund for later distribution.
Current booking trends are encouraging, and the duration of the booking curve has improved compared to the two previous years, giving improved visibility. For the full-year of 2024, Norwegian forecasts an overall production (ASK) of around 36,000 million seat kilometres, corresponding to a growth of approximately 12 percent from 2023. The company projects profits for 2024 to improve and is currently expecting an operating profit (EBIT) to be in the range of NOK 2.5 to 3.2 billion, given certain assumptions.
Norwegian's customers highly value the airline's strong punctuality and the attractive and growing route network. The acquisition of Widerøe will further ensure that Norwegian remains a preferred travel partner throughout the Nordics.
For the remainder of the winter season, Norwegian will keep a reduced capacity level that matches the seasonally lower demand. From March and onwards, the company will ramp-up capacity into the busy travel season. The company is growing its fleet to approximately 90 aircraft for the peak summer 2024 season.