The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority has issued the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for Norse Atlantic Airways. The new airline was founded by executives of the former Norwegian Long Haul and is expected to start transatlantic operations by spring 2022.
See also: Norway and the United Kingdom: Norse Atlantic Airways applies for Air Operator Certificates (AOC)
«We would like to thank the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority for a constructive and professional process. We are now a major step closer to the launch of our exciting and affordable flights between Europe and the United States. Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO and founder of Norse Atlantic Airways, said: «We have had a good and constructive dialogue with the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority».
«We have had a good and constructive dialogue with Norse throughout the process of issuing a Norwegian AOC. Wishing them the best of luck and we look forward to a continued productive relationship in the future» added Lars E. de Lange Kobberstad, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority in Norway.
Norse Atlantic has over the past few months begun the process of recruiting pilots, cabin crew, maintenance personnel, among others, planning a headcount of more than 1,600 employees, and has selected Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as the company’s U.S. headquarters. The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner has already received the company’s colors.
See also: Norse Atlantic Airways announces new headquarters in Fort Lauderdale
Norse Atlantic applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in September 2021 for permission to fly from Oslo (OSL) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Newburg/New York (SWF), and Ontario, California (ONT).
See also: Norse Atlantic, founded by former Norwegian executives, takes delivery of its first Boeing 787-9
As of today, Norse Atlantic is still awaiting its UK AOC. The airline has recently been negotiating with the UK aviation authorities for slots at Gatwick (LGW) and Stansted (STN) airports. It is rumored that the latter would be Norse’s base in Great Britain.