Norwegian has announced a second quarter profit this morning, despite making huge investment in their growth with several new planes bearing the red nose cone.
The NOK 300 million net profit has been declared after a loss of NOK 691 million last year in the same period. Even though there have been increased fuel prices, Norwegian has continued to grow its traffic and has reduced overhead costs.
With passenger numbers up to 10 million in the second quarter Norwegian is serving more people to more places, with the US market the strongest outside its home base in Norway. 5.8 million passengers travel from London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester with Norwegian.
CEO of Norwegian, Bjørn Kjos said : “Despite being at the peak of our growth phase, we have been able to present a profit and decreased unit costs during the second quarter. Going forward, the growth will slow down and we will reap what we have sown for the benefit of our customers, staff and shareholders.
“I’m also extremely happy and grateful that we during the past six months have received ten different awards. In June we were named Norway’s most innovative company and in July, we were awarded the “World Travel Award” for the best low-cost airline in Europe, and the “Ambassador’s Award” from the US Ambassador to Norway. The latter proves the importance Norwegian has had in terms of strengthening and building US – Norway relations and growing the countries’ economies. It shows that what we have achieved so far in the US is being appreciated and acknowledged by the US government,” Kjos continues.
During the second quarter, Norwegian has introduced three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to its fleet. In total, this year Norwegian will take delivery of 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and the two Boeing 737- 800 aircraft that have already been delivered. With an average age of only 3.7 years, Norwegian’s fleet is one of the “greenest” and most modern fleets in the world.
Norwegian has free inflight WiFi on UK flights to more than 30 European destinations.
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