Norwegian gets the greenlight and will acquire Widerøe

The Norwegian Competition Authority (NCA) has officially approved the acquisition of Widerøe by Norwegian. For Norwegian, this approval signifies the opportunity to integrate complementary routes into its operations.

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«The air travel market holds significant importance for Norwegian consumers. Effective competition is crucial to ensure travelers can access the best possible deals at competitive prices,» emphasized NCA Director Gjermund Nese at that time.

The business had been proposed to the government agency last July. In September, the NCA stated that it needed to extend the deadline to address the proposal as it could have a detrimental impact on competition within the market. Finally, on December 21, the business was approved, allowing the integration to proceed.

In light of this development, Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian, expressed satisfaction with the NCA’s decision. «We are very pleased. The acquisition will significantly enhance route options for our customers, both domestic and international. This will not only provide more choices but also facilitate expanding our route network. We anticipate a more efficient operation that will ensure a robust aviation sector in Norway,» stated the executive.

Of Interest: The government could block the acquisition of Widerøe by Norwegian

On a similar note, Stein Nilsen, CEO of Widerøe, echoed the sentiments of his counterpart, stating, «The NCA recognized our contribution and decided to grant approval for this transaction. This case has been demanding for both parties, with extensive documentation. Looking ahead, we are eager to collaborate with Norwegian to offer better and more competitive travel options.»

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Widerøe’s business model is quite straightforward: the airline operates a fleet primarily composed of Dash 8 turboprops serving regional destinations in Norway. Norwegian believes that integrating this capacity into its system will have a positive impact on the rest of its network.