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Norwegian has announced that it has its eyes firmly set on expanding its routes into Asia and Africa. This comes on the heels of Norwegian expanding its route network to the US twice over the last couple of months. The company’s CEO confirmed to the UK’s Telegraph that the company is seriously considering expanding its route to Africa and Asia, and while there is no current concrete plans the company is looking to head further afield in its bid to revolutionize budget-long-haul travel.
Currently Norwegian only flies to Thailand, however Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kos named Nigeria and South Africa as possible routes of interest to the company, in addition to opening new routes to Japan and China, although he did not specify specific destinations. The new routes to South Africa will add more competition to routes already dominated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Norwegian is already revolutionizing budget transatlantic travel, but the company is also looking to integrate its schedule with other low-cost carriers in Europe, which will open up many more destinations for travelers, as they seamlessly connect from one low-cost carrier to another. This latest development will surely give some of the major carriers some food for thought—since they currently have a virtual monopoly on multi-connection trips, seeing a competitive cabal of low-cost budget carriers enter the market will definitely give them a headache.
Our Take
This is another great move by Norwegian, and will surely cement its place as a big competitor in the transatlantic market. The ability to book a flight from the US to Africa or Asia with a low-cost carrier is the needed competition on a route otherwise dominated by legacy carriers. The next few months should be interesting as we eagerly await the latest exciting announcement from Norwegian.
Source: Points with a Crew
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Gimme Madagascar!
Hope this causes increased competition and lower fares across the board.
Great to see Norwegian flying further afield. I travel with them at least once a year, a budget airline that feels a little less budgety.
are they planning to fly to Africa from the US or only from their European hubs?
They won’t operate any flights directly from the US, it’ll all be through their European hubs.
I think Norwegian have been very clever. The low cost carrier market in Europe is saturated but they have looked in other directions that haven’t yet been exploited by the low cost carriers – firstly North America a and now Asia and Africa.
I’ve never flown Norwegian Airlines, but it’s always great to have more options!
Well, I think Norwegian has made a big order of wide body airplanes and now it’s of course looking where to send the new airplanes when they will be available.
Nigeria has less traffic than South Africa but I think the price are much higher and so the route could be very profitable.
In any case, good to see more competition and for consequence lower prices.
A long time to sit on a LCC.
To fly to Asia they need to have Russia’s agreement to let them enter her airspace as it is the shortest and hence the cheapest route and I hope Russia won’t let a company registered in a country that put sanctions against Russia to fly through her territory!
Aren’t they crossing Russia’s airspace, when flying to Thailand?
I haven’t flown Norwegian but am interested in seeing them put downward pressure on prices.
cant wait for the service to come to SOUTH AFRICA
Great! I love Norwegian.
More capacity to Cape Town would be great!
It will be pretty hard to beat the ME3 for routes to Asia though.
Going to middle east 4 soon if you ask me. Oman airways looks bright too.
Norwegian do offer some great deals so more routes the better.
I can’t see Nigeria being a first rate travel destination. South Africa = yes. Nigeria = no.
I’m guessing this is aimed more at Nigerians heading for Europe.
Ambitious and impressive growth strategy. Nice for consumers to have more competition and options.
Great to see Norwegian grow and provide more LCC options!