United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Norwegian grounds more than 4,000 flights
Norwegian has decided to ground 40% of its long-haul fleet and cancel up to 25% of its short-haul flights, with some suspended until the end of May.
In total, more than 4,000 flights will be affected.
All routes between London Gatwick and the US will continue to operate as normal.
The airline said the ‘extraordinary market situation’ is also forcing it to temporarily lay off of up to half of its staff, and it warned this number may increase.
"All departments will be affected by the temporary layoffs," it said in a statement.
"We have initiated, in consultation with the unions, a discussion and mapping process and will then return with leave notices to affected departments, stations and employees."
CEO Jacob Schram said: "This is an unprecedented situation and our main priority continues to be the care and safety of our customers and colleagues. The new restrictions imposed further pressure on an already difficult situation. We urge international governments to act now to ensure that the aviation industry can protect jobs and continue to be a vital part of the global economic recovery."
From March 13-29, Norwegian will cancel the majority of its long-haul flights to the US from Amsterdam, Madrid, Oslo, Stockholm, Barcelona and Paris.
From March 13 to the end of May, all flights between Rome and the US will be cancelled.
From March 29 until the end of April, all flights from Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Amsterdam, Athens and Oslo to the US will be cancelled.
Norwegian said it hopes to reroute as many of its customers as possible through London during the difficult period.
Norwegian will also cancel a large share of its domestic flights in Norway and flights within Scandinavia, such as Oslo-Copenhagen and Oslo-Stockholm.
Flights to Italy will also be cancelled.
Domestic and intra-Scandinavian flights will be combined.
Due to a high number of enquires Norwegian urged customers to check its travel updates for the latest advice.
It asked passengers whose travel is after April 15 to refrain from contacting its Customer Care team at this time.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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