UK Pilot unions welcomes Norse Atlantic Airways plans

The British Airline Pilots Association and Norse Atlantic Airways announce partnership to bring hundreds of jobs to the UK

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) and Norse Atlantic Airways (Norse), the new intercontinental airline, have entered into a new agreement that will deliver hundreds of jobs in the UK.

 

The new airline plans to commence affordable flights between Europe and North America in 2022, with a fleet of more environmentally friendly 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.

 

“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.

“It is a refreshing change to have an employer knocking on our door asking for an agreement, rather than us chasing the employer. Norse has proven to be a different breed; they have recognition of unions in their DNA. Consultations and dialogue are just natural, and we can really be a contributor to the business when the employer brings us in like Norse has done”.

 

“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.”

 

Norse Atlantic´s CEO Bjorn Tore Larsen (pictured left)  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 in Norse as we build a team Norse culture throughout the entire airline which will be our lasting competitive advantage.”

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AerCap to provide new Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways with 9 former Norwegian Boeing 787 aircraft

Leasing firm AerCap Holdings confirmed today what had been rumoured for a week or so, which was that it will be leasing six used Boeing 787-9 and three used Boeing 787-8 aircraft to the new Norwegian start-up airline Norse Atlantic Airways.

Peter Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap, said, "AerCap is excited to announce the signing of lease agreements for nine Boeing 787 aircraft with Norse Atlantic Airways.  With its superior operating characteristics, the 787 is the perfect aircraft for Norse Atlantic Airways to launch a modern long-haul low-cost airline, and we are delighted to be supplying them with their first aircraft.  We wish Norse Atlantic Airways every success and look forward to working with them as they roll out their plan in the years to come." 

"We are thrilled to be partnering with a market leader in AerCap to lease our initial fleet of Dreamliners. Norse Atlantic Airways looks forward to providing our passengers with comfortable, affordable, intercontinental travel aboard these state-of-the-art aircraft," said Bjørn Tore Larsen, Chief Executive Officer of Norse Atlantic.

Norse Atlantic Airways, based in Oslo, Norway, plan to launch long-haul low-cost services, connecting major cities in Europe and the USA with these aircraft scheduled for delivery during 2021.  The Leases are at attractive rates and payment terms, allowing the Norse Atlantic team to offer a flexible implementation during the start-up phase. The lease terms are approximately 8 years for the 787-8 aircraft and approximately 12 years for the 787-9 aircraft. The launch date for Norse Atlantic is expected to be sometime during December 2021, in time for a Christmas rush, but at an otherwise relatively quiet time from transatlantic travel 

These aircraft previously flew with the budget carrier Norwegian, before it axed its entire long-haul operation to save itself from complete collapse. Yet, these aircraft are not the only connection to Norwegian, Norse Atlantic Airways has.  Three of the founders - Bjørn Tore Larsen, Bjorn Kljos and Bjørn Kise all held top jobs with Norwegian or OSM Aviation. A number of other key personnel are former Norwegian employees and the whole focus on being low-fare and low-cost, with lean management and administration teams, to operate long-haul flights, with high cabin utilization is pretty much how the former carrier started. 

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