Norwegian reports continued passenger growth in October

An increasing number of passengers choose to fly with Norwegian. The company carried a total of almost 3.4 million passengers in October, an increase of 8 percent compared to the same month the previous year.

Norwegian carried 3,388,898 passengers in October, an increase of 240,387 passengers (8 percent) compared to the same month last year. The total traffic growth (RPK) increased by 25 percent this month, driven by a 29 percent capacity growth (ASK). The load factor was 85 percent.

“We are very pleased that an increasing number of passengers choose Norwegian for their travels. The long-haul routes represent the largest growth this month and the demand is satisfactory. However, we are now entering a period of lower demand, tough competition and high oil prices, making it even more important for the company to continue reducing its costs,” said CEO Bjørn Kjos of Norwegian.

In general, the yield development is positive, but is negatively affected by the fact that the company now operates a greater number of longer flights than the same month last year. As the revenue per passenger kilometer is lower on longer flights the company’s total yield falls when the share of long-haul flights increases.

Norwegian operated 99.4 percent of the scheduled flights in October, of which 79.7 percent departed on time, up 1.4 percentage points compared to the same month last year.
Norwegian’s fleet renewal program continues in 2018. The company took delivery of two Boeing 737 MAX 8 this month. In total, Norwegian will take delivery of 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and two Boeing 737-800 aircraft this year. With an average age of only 3.7 years, Norwegian’s fleet is one of the world’s “greenest” and most modern. The single most important action an airline can take to reduce its environmental footprint, is to invest in new aircraft and new technology.