Budget long-haul carrier Norwegian has become the largest non-US airline on transatlantic routes to and from New York based on passenger numbers.
The airline carried 1.67 million international passengers to and from three of the city’s airports according to the latest Port Authority of New York and New Jersey traffic report.
Growth of Norwegian passenger numbers saw it overtake the former number one British Airways, which carried 1.63 million passengers.
Norwegian operates 16 routes from three airports in the New York City area to major European airports in Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Madrid, Oslo, Paris, Rome, and Stockholm.
The airline launched its first route to New York on May 30, 2013 from Oslo and Stockholm on May 31, 2013.
Bjørn Kjos, Norwegian chief executive and founder, said: ““Passenger numbers by the NY/NJ Port Authority further endorses the strong demand for lower fares on lucrative transatlantic routes as we flew more customers to and from New York than any other international airline in the 12 months to July 2018.
“Fares have been too high for too long as transatlantic routes have been long dominated by carriers with outdated legacies running on fumes.
“In 12 months, 1.67 million customers benefited from the fantastic value we offer and Norwegian will continue to spread its wings to the Big Apple with a third-daily service between London and New York JFK from 28 October.
“With brand new aircraft that are the most fuel-efficient over the transatlantic skies, customers can look forward to receiving a high-quality flight experience to and from New York and globally with the leading premium low-fare airline.”