Scandinavian budget carrier Norwegian has placed an order for 42 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft under an extensive fleet-renewal programme.
They will supplement the 11 737-800s which were the subject of an order by the carrier earlier this year. The new order also includes purchase rights for a further 42 of the type.
Deliveries of the jets to the Oslo-based carrier will take place from 2009 and continue to 2014, with the aircraft arriving at a rate of around ten per year.
Chief executive Bjorn Kjos says that the aircraft will “strengthen Norwegian’s competitive position” in its mainland European and Scandinavian markets.
“These purchases will open up new opportunities, enabling us to fly longer distances and consider new, interesting routes,” he adds.
Norwegian, which currently operates Boeing 737-300s, says that the jets will be fitted with blended winglets. The list price for the aircraft totals around $3.1 billion.
FACTS
Norwegian Air Shuttle is one of Europe’s leading low fare airline and started its operations 1st September 2002 with four domestic routes and six aircraft – Boeing 737-300.
Norwegian was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange December 2003.
FLEET:
24 Boeing 737-300,
8 MD80 (FlyNordic)
11 new Boeing 737-800 from 2008 to 2010.
The aircraft is mainly leased except for two Boeing 737-300 which are owned by Norwegian.
ROUTES:
11 domestic routes
95 international routes from different cities in Norway
Sweden – (operated by Norwegian’s subsidiary – FlyNordic):
5 domestic routes
9 international routes
Poland:
16 international routes
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