DALLAS — From this October, the Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways (N0) will start operating the route between London and Cape Town, one of the most famous tourist destinations on the African continent. The route is still subject to regulatory approval.
If approved, Norse Atlantic UK (Z0), which is scheduled to "fly more seats than the parent airline in 2024," will operate flights starting from London Gatwick Airport (LGW), breaking the rules that British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic (VS) have dictated so far, taking off from London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
According to CAPA, the two full-service airlines have regularly operated flights to Cape Town Airport (CPT), taking advantage of the absence of South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SA) post-pandemic, and serving a good chunk of the market. N0 destroys this apparent calm to penetrate that very slice of the market.
The Offer
Operations to the South African capital will begin on October 28, 2024, with a three-day frequency, on a round-trip basis, and will be owned by subsidiary Z0.
Fun fact: This is not the first time Norse has flown to Cape Town; it visited the airport a few years ago on a charter flight.
Norse Atlantic offers future passengers weekly flights departing from LGW on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. It will fly to the UK, however, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, ensuring full weekday coverage.
According to those reported on the N0's official website, the ticket price could start from a couple of hundred Dollars and go up depending on the period chosen and the class of service. The proposed service levels are Economy and Premium, which have a screen with infotainment and power outlets.
The Airline
Norse Atlantic was founded in 2021, more precisely in February; its headquarters are in Arendal, but the company's base of operations is Oslo/Gardermoen Airport (OSL). Concomitantly, the subsidiary Norse Atlantic UK was also founded, with headquarters in LGW.
The company currently has a fleet of seven aircraft, all Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with an average age of about 6.2 years. Five of the seven aircraft are owned by Z0, and N0 owns the remaining two.
The ”Explorer’s Airlines”—as they publish the company—was established to introduce the low-cost segment to the international flight market; to date, it serves 13 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
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January 2025
