Norse Atlantic Airways has announced that the UK Civil Aviation Authority has granted the airline an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Operating Licence (OL) allowing the company to begin direct flights from the United Kingdom.

Operating direct flights from the UK has been an integral part of the Norse Atlantic Airways business plan since the inception of the airline in March 2021.

There continues to be strong demand for air travel to and from the United Kingdom, particularly between the UK and the US which is the largest transatlantic market in the world, the company said.

Gatwick to the US

Norse is keen to operate between London Gatwick and a number of US destinations, subject to further regulatory approvals, particularly serving routes that are currently not served by direct flights or lacking sufficient capacity.

“The United Kingdom will be a vital part of our network going forward and the granting of an AOC and Operating Licence by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to Norse Atlantic will provide further choice and affordable prices to consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. We are proud to be employing local pilots and cabin crew at our London Gatwick base and have established close working relationships with the British pilot union BALPA, the cabin crew union Unite and the American cabin crew union AFA. We look forward to ramping up our operations between London and the US ready for our Summer 2023 schedule,” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO Norse Atlantic Airways.

Two AOCs

Norse Atlantic now holds two AOCs, one in Norway and another in the United Kingdom, providing greater flexibility and opportunities for the company to expand in the future from European points and the UK, in line with demand.

Flights to and from the UK will be operated by both UK and US based cabin crew.
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