Norse Atlantic Airways will base an aircraft at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) during the forthcoming northern winter 2024-25 season as part of an agreement with Italian carrier Neos.
The Scandinavian airline will station one Boeing 787 at the northern Italy gateway from Dec. 18 through April 1, 2025, and operate several long-haul routes on behalf of Neos to destinations including Mombasa, Kenya; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Zanzibar.
Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO and founder of Norse, says the agreement covers “a substantial number of flying hours” during the winter season. “We have forged a strong partnership with Neos building on our previous charter operations with the company,” he adds. “This longer-term agreement is a testament to the quality and reliability of our charter and ACMI capabilities.”
Norse will operate weekly flights from MXP to Dubai, La Romana, Madagascar, Mombasa and Montego Bay. It will also fly between Rome Fiumicino and Madagascar on behalf of Neos.
“A new aircraft in our fleet will allow us to guarantee our customers the operational stability that distinguishes us, even in periods of high season,” says Aldo Sarnataro, Neos commercial director.
Norse is increasingly diversifying its operations as it seeks to achieve full-year profitability in 2024. During the summer, the Norway-based carrier focuses on its own scheduled flights, particularly across the North Atlantic, while in winter, it transitions to more of a charter airline, as well as offering service to warm-weather seasonal destinations.
“A large proportion of our production is chartering out our aircraft to other airlines on an ACMI basis, or chartering out to tour operators or cruise companies, and also to governments or other organizations that want to charter a whole aircraft,” Larsen said following the publication of the airline’s first-quarter financial results in May.
Norse flew 107 charter flights during the first three months of 2024, marking a record for the carrier. Current contracts include a deal with Nigeria’s Air Peace to operate a 3X-weekly Lagos-London Gatwick service.
In April, the airline also announced plans to introduce flights to South Africa this winter, scheduling the launch of a 3X-weekly service connecting London Gatwick Airport and Cape Town International Airport from Oct. 28.
Norse reported revenues of $78.2 million in the three months to the end of March, up by 97% on the same period a year earlier. Total cash held at the end of quarter was $33.2 million, and the company has since secured a $20 million revolving credit facility from its two largest shareholders.
Related Content
