Press release -

Norwegian reports solid profit in Q2

Norwegian (NAS) today reported its second quarter earnings for 2018 with a net profit of NOK 300 million, despite the highest growth in the company’s history. Going forward, the growth will slow down and ramp-up costs will decrease, in line with Norwegian’s strategy.

The net result was NOK 300 million compared to a loss of NOK 691 million the second quarter last year. The result is affected by a reduction in unit costs, which has decreased by nine percent this quarter, and with 19 per cent excluding fuel. One-offs have also this quarter contributed to the cost reduction. The costs are lower despite Norwegian’s highest ever production growth (ASK) of 48 per cent and increasing fuel prices. Norwegian’s traffic growth (RPK) this quarter was 46 per cent.


Stable load
The airline carried ten million passengers during the second quarter, an increase of 16 per cent. The load factor for the second quarter was 86.8 per cent, down 0.9 percentage points compared to the second quarter last year. 

Norwegian has grown rapidly over the past years, expanding international traffic and adding new bases, destinations and markets to its portfolio. In terms of total revenue, the US represents the strongest market outside Norway.

“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,” said CEO of Norwegian, Bjørn Kjos.

“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.

For detailed information, please see pdf attached.

Topics

Norwegian in the UK and Ireland:

  • Norwegian carries 5.8 million UK passengers each year from London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester Airports to 50 destinations worldwide
  • Norwegian is the third largest airline at London Gatwick, with 4.6 million yearly passengers, and with more than 1,000 UK-based pilots and cabin crew
  • In 2014, Norwegian introduced the UK’s first low-cost, long haul flights to the U.S. - the airline now flies to 11 U.S destinations, Buenos Aires and Singapore
  • In 2017, Norwegian also launched affordable transatlantic flights from Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cork and Shannon to the US East Coast, using the brand new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft
  • Norwegian is the only airline to offer free inflight WiFi on UK flights to more than 30 European destinations
  • The airline has one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world with an average age of 3.7 years, including next-generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 737-800s
  • Norwegian has been voted ‘Europe’s best low-cost carrier’ by passengers for five consecutive years at SkyTrax World Airline Awards from 2013-2017, along with being awarded the ‘World's best low-cost long-haul airline’ in 2015, 2016 and 2017
  • Norwegian Reward is the airline's free to join award-winning loyalty programme offering members CashPoints and Rewards that reduce the cost of Norwegian flights

Contacts

For journalists only

For journalists only

Press contact Norwegian Press Office +47 815 11 816
Marketing/sponsorhip requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Marketing/sponsorhip requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Press contact Marketing/sponsorship requests: marketing@norwegian.com

Related media

Norwegian.com

The Norwegian group is a leading Nordic aviation company, headquartered at Fornebu outside Oslo, Norway. The company has over 8,200 employees and owns two of the prominent airlines in the Nordics: Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe’s Flyveselskap. Widerøe was acquired by Norwegian in 2024, aiming to facilitate seamless air travel across the two airline’s networks.

Norwegian Air Shuttle, the largest Norwegian airline with around 4,700 employees, operates an extensive route network connecting Nordic countries to key European destinations. In 2023, Norwegian carried over 20 million passengers and maintained a fleet of 87 Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Widerøe’s Flyveselskap, Norway’s oldest airline, is Scandinavia’s largest regional carrier. The airline has more than 3,500 employees. Mainly operating the short-runway airports in rural Norway, Widerøe operates several state contract routes (PSO routes) in addition to its own commercial network. In 2023, the airline had 3.3 million passengers and a fleet of 48 aircraft, including 45 Bombardier Dash 8’s and three Embraer E190-E2's. Widerøe Ground Handling provides ground handling services at 41 Norwegian airports.

The Norwegian group has sustainability as a key priority and has committed to significantly reducing carbon emissions from its operations. Among numerous initiatives, the most noteworthy is the investment in production and use of fossil-free aviation fuel (SAF). Norwegian strives to become the sustainable choice for its passengers, actively contributing to the transformation of the aviation industry.

Norwegian

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