Norwegian Air reduced seasonal first quarter losses as passenger numbers and revenue rose.
The Scandinavian budget carrier reported a pre-tax loss of 992 million Norwegian kroner ($92.8 million) against a loss of NOK1.03 billion in the same winter three months last year.
Passenger carryings rose to 3.8 million compared with 2.2 million a year earlier as it operated a fleet of 72 aircraft by the end of the quarter.
Total revenue was up to NOK3.9 billion from NOK1.9 billion for the same period in 2022.
The airline’s liquidity improved through the quarter with cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter increasing to NOK 8.6 billion.
The carrier is now seeing strong demand and expects a record summer performance.
Chief executive Geir Larlsen said: ”This quarter is a strong demonstration of our ability to adjust capacity to seasonal fluctuations in demand and to prepare well for the busy summer travel season ahead.
“Ahead of the summer season, we have phased in 11 latest generation aircraft and welcomed many new colleagues.
“I am very glad that we will not depend on wet-lease capacity this summer. Instead, we will be able to serve our customers entirely with our own aircraft and crew.”
He added: “We are in the process of improving the customer experience at Oslo airport Gardermoen where we have welcomed 150 new colleagues to our newly established customer-facing ground handling services.
“This makes us well prepared, both on the ground and in the air, to welcome all passengers on board in what I believe will be the strongest summer ever for the airline.”