Norwegian plans to begin service to Canada in 2019, pushing back plans to enter the market this year.

The Oslo-based carrier plans to begin service to Canada from Europe in the summer of 2019, it says. It had hoped to begin flights this year after receiving approval from the Canadian Transportation Agency in March.

"We are still very interested in the Canadian market and want to bring our award-winning service concept to the Canadians," says Norwegian. It plans to use the time until it begins service to raise its profile in the market, it adds.

The airline has not said where it plans to fly in Canada.

The postponed launch follows delays to some of Norwegian's Boeing 737 Max deliveries due this year. Delays to its first deliveries of the type in 2017 forced it to launch service to Hartford, New York Stewart and Providence in the USA with 737-800s operating with weight restrictions due to the distance.

The carrier is scheduled to take delivery of 13 737-8s in 2018, with the first due in May, Flight Fleets Analyzer shows.

Norwegian operates six 737-8s primarily on its flights to New York Stewart and Providence.

Source: Cirium Dashboard