Previously struggling airline, Norwegian, has this week announced plans to re-open its base in Barcelona’s El Prat Airport as a seasonal base in 2023. The carrier closed three of its five Spanish bases in May 2021 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Hit hard by the pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Norwegian Airlines was forced to lay off 7,000 of its staff, of which 1,200 were based in Spain, and massively cut back on its Boeing 737-800 fleet while removing its 787 aircraft and suspending all long-haul routes.

With most of its bases closed, Norwegian was now focusing on Norway and Scandinavia. The airline kept everything stable while operating just seven Boeing 737-800’s. Throughout the pandemic, the airlines’ bases at Alicante and Malaga remained open, with destinations to Northern Europe.

Tom Crean 737MAX at Belfast International Airport
During the pandemic, the airline operated just 7 aircraft. Photo: Norwegian

The airline went into bankruptcy protection in Ireland. During the international crisis, the Board of Directors fired CEO Jacob Schram, replacing him with CFO Geir Karlsen.

While filing for bankruptcy protection sounds like the end for Norwegian, it benefited them. The CEO said

“Seeking protection to reorganize under Irish law is a decision that we have taken to secure the future of Norwegian for the benefit of our employees, customers and investors. Our aim is to find solutions with our stakeholders that will allow us to emerge as a financially stronger and secure airline.”

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Gradual return

In 2021, as Norwegian focused on Scandinavia and was supported by a loan from the Norwegian government, the airline re-opened some of its bases. It re-opened Bergen, Oslo, Stavanger and Trondheim (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsinki (Finland) and Stockholm (Sweden).

By the end of 2021, the airline looked like it was bouncing back. Norwegian reported an operating profit of €129.5 million ($129.5 million) in the second quarter of 2022. The airline is back in business and ready to reach pre-pandemic levels.

With this newly found profit, Norweigan has come up with short to medium-term plans, such as re-establishing the base in Barcelona (BCN), Spain, and hiring 800 workers.

Norwegian is expected to hire 800 people. Photo: Norwegian

The airline will re-open a seasonal base in Barcelona in the Summer of 2023. Norweigan will base two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, flying mainly to Scandinavia.

According to recent AENA figures, Norwegian moved 230,224 passengers at Barcelona El Prat airport with flights to five destinations: Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen, Stockholm, and Copenhagen.

Norwegian is expected to hire 800 staff for its seasonal base. Three hundred pilots and five hundred cabin crew are to be hired.

With a bounce back in bases and operations, the airline needs to get more aircraft in its fleet. The airline recently ordered 50+ Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The delivery of these aircraft will commence between 2025 and 2028.

The CEO of Norwegian said:

“The overall terms achieved are attractive for Norwegian, and the deal fits well with our long-term fleet strategy and route program. It will enable us to serve our customers with modern fuel-efficient aircraft with the latest technology, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. The deal will also strengthen the company’s equity considerably, further solidifying Norwegian’s financial position.”

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Source: Aviaciaonline