Norse Atlantic Airlines plans to expand transatlantic routes from Gatwick after the US Department of Transport proposed approval of a foreign air carrier permit.
Heralded as a “historic milestone” following the issue of a UK Air Operator Certificate by the Civil Aviation Authority, the US approval will pave the way for direct North Atlantic services by Norse Atlantic UK.
Norse Atlantic holds two AOCs, one in Norway and another in the UK, providing greater flexibility and opportunities for the company to expand in the future from European points and the UK, in line with demand. Flights to New York from Gatwick started in August.
The decision by the US DoT “makes it possible for the company to plan routes between London Gatwick and the US that will benefit consumers, businesses and local economies,” the start-up budget long-haul carrier said.
The US transport department highlighted that Norse Atlantic UK had demonstrated that it was a financially and operationally sound business. It also concluded that it was clearly in the interest of US citizens that Norse UK be allowed to operate.
Chief executive Bjorn Tore Larsen said: “We are very thankful for the support that we have received on both sides of the Atlantic throughout our application.
“This milestone represents a huge step in creating competition in the transatlantic market that will benefit consumers, stimulate business travel and lead to job creation.
“We are pleased that we will continue to deliver on our pledge to democratise transatlantic travel and we look forward expanding our point-to-point route network between London Gatwick and the US as part of our summer 2023 schedule.”
Norse Atlantic operates Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a two-class configuration.