Budget airline Norwegian has announced the end of its long-haul operations, resulting in the loss of 1,100 pilot and cabin crew jobs at Gatwick Airport. The carrier's board of directors stated that the company will continue with a simplified business structure, focusing on European short-haul routes using smaller aircraft.
The decision comes after the profound impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation industry. Norwegian's entire Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet has been grounded since March 2020, and the airline reported a loss of £442 million for the first six months of the year. Chief executive Jacob Schram said the aim is to rebuild a strong, profitable Norwegian to safeguard as many jobs as possible.
A Gatwick spokeswoman said the airport remains an important part of Norwegian's future plans and that demand for slots at Gatwick remains strong. The airline will contact affected customers and refund their bookings. Norwegian has also resumed talks with the Norwegian government about further state support.
