Source: Norse Atlantic Airways

  • Norse plans to start commercial operation in spring 2022 with the first flights connecting Oslo to select cities in the U.S.
  • The carrier’s fleet will include 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority today issued an air operator’s certificate (AOC) to Norse Atlantic Airways. The new airline is on track to start transatlantic flights in the spring 2022.

“We would like to thank Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority for a constructive and professional process. We are now one important step closer to launching our attractive and affordable flights between Europe and the U.S. in spring next year,” said CEO and founder Bjørn Tore Larsen of Norse.

“We’ve had a good and constructive dialogue with Norse throughout the process of issuing a Norwegian AOC. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to a continued fruitful relationship going forward,” said Director General of the Civil Aviation Authorities of Norway, Lars E. de Lange Kobberstad.

An AOC is the approval granted by a national aviation authority to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. This requires the operator to have personnel, assets and systems in place to ensure the safety of its employees and the general public.

“I would also like to commend my colleagues at Norse for their outstanding efforts getting the important AOC in place,” Bjørn Tore Larsen added.

Norse plans to start commercial operation in spring 2022 and the first flights will depart from Oslo to selected cities in the U.S.

Delivery of its first aircraft

Earlier this month, Norse Atlantic Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The arrival of the aircraft was celebrated at Oslo Airport and the new airline is on track to start transatlantic flights in spring 2022.

“The delivery of our first Dreamliner marks an important milestone for us at Team Norse as it brings us one step closer to the launch of attractive and affordable transatlantic flights,” said Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO and founder of Norse Atlantic Airways.

The flight from Warsaw, Poland was operated by Norse’s own captains Kjetil Risan, Derek Spicer, Dean Kitchen and Ulf Heikmann.

Norse’s first aircraft is a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and is leased from BOC Aviation, one of the world’s largest aircraft leasing companies. The airline’s aircraft will be named after popular national parks, and this plane is named Rondane (one of Norway’s largest national parks).  Norse’s planned fleet of aircraft consists of 12 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The next deliveries will continue until April and all aircraft will be initially parked at Oslo Airport.

“We believe that transatlantic travel will resume with full force once the pandemic is behind us. People will want to explore new destinations, visit friends and family and travel for business. Norse will be there to offer attractive and affordable flights on our more environmentally friendly Dreamliners to both the leisure and cost-conscious business traveler,” Larsen added.

Norse plans to start commercial operation in spring 2022 with the first flights connecting Oslo to select cities in the U.S.

The aircraft lease is at attractive rates and payment terms, allowing the Company a flexible implementation during start-up of its operation, with Norse only paying on a “power by the hour” basis at the outset.