Norwegian plans to launch a subsidiary airline in Argentina and expects to operate 10 Boeing 737 narrow-body aircraft by the end of the year.
The group formed Norwegian Air Argentina in January 2017 with the aim of offering domestic and international services from a Buenos Aires base, subject to government approval. Norwegian’s leadership has indicated the new carrier would link Buenos Aires (EZE) with Norwegian’s London Gatwick (LGW) hub and provide connections onward to European cities such as Paris (CDG), Barcelona (BCN), Oslo (OSL), Copenhagen (CPH) and Stockholm (ARN).
“Argentina is an interesting market with great potential that fits Norwegian’s global strategy very well, combining affordable domestic and international flights,” said Christian Melhus, chief executive officer of Norwegian Air Argentina. “We have been well received by Argentinian authorities and look forward to building a constructive relationship going forward.”
Norwegian has applied for an Argentinian Air Operator’s Certificate. If the certificate is granted, the airline plans to announce routes and begin ticket sales before the end of the year. At present, British Airways is the only carrier operating nonstop service between the United Kingdom and Argentina, flying between Heathrow (LHR) and Buenos Aires.
Looking beyond Argentina, Norwegian intends to expand capacity to the United States next winter by reallocating some of its short-haul slots at Gatwick to longer-haul operations. The airline also plans to begin summer services to smaller North American airports using 737 MAX aircraft.