Norse Atlantic Airways Cancels A 787 Route

Low-cost long-haul Norse Atlantic Airways has pulled its entire summer schedule to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), thus cancelling flights from three airports.

Service from London Gatwick (LGW), Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) on the Boeing 787-9 have been cut as part of the sweeping changes and reflects the escalating crisis impacting the aviation industry.

Norwegian’s long struggle to maintain long-haul operations at razor-thin margins is once more feeling the pressure following the Middle East conflict and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Why Norse Atlantic Is Cancelling LAX Flights

Before the airline had the opportunity to confirm the cancellations to Los Angeles, passengers sounded the alarm, with posts appearing across social media forums about bookings being wiped out without prior notice.

Norse Atlantic Airways would confirm the news, citing the excessive fuel risk exposure on one of its longest routes as a reason for the changes. This comes after more than 50% of operating costs are covered by fuel, and the margin is being driven up substantially.

For a low-cost carrier, when fuel accounts for such a high portion of operating costs, the impact is severe. These businesses already operate on tight margins and are more susceptible to crises like this, which can hurt their networks, bottom lines, and overall positions in the industry.

That vulnerability has been highlighted across the LAX sector, where even with the efficient Boeing 787-9 and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, it’s still not enough for the business to maintain the connection. Instead, the major axings will focus more on the remaining U.S. markets, with greater emphasis on the East Coast than the West.

What Does This Mean For Passengers?

Passengers will, as a result of the routes to Los Angeles from major European hubs being axed, have their travel plans affected, and Norse Atlantic Airways is slated to offer refunds, bonus travel credits, or rebooking opportunities for available dates.

However, the squeeze on low-cost travel across the Atlantic is now more pronounced than ever, with low-cost options effectively axed and pushing travellers towards legacy operators such as Delta, United and American Airlines, where higher fares, surcharges, and less budget-friendly seats can be found.

Lesirue flyers, especially those who enjoy Norse’s no-frills service, are now forced to look elsewhere for connecting flights from the East to the West Coast of the United States.

Norse Atlantic’s Change Of Direction

A decision to axe Los Angeles International Airport services shrinks the Norse Atlantic network for the Summer schedule, but responds to the volatile market and makes every effort to protect the business from harsh operating costs that are damaging the industry.

With half of its Boeing 787 fleet now on long-term ACMI leases with IndiGo, IndiGo has a more stable revenue source that shields it from dips in operating its own passenger services amid persistent shifts in demand.

However, this operational change, with a greater focus on a hybrid model, means the business is targeting sustained profitability and the utilisation of its assets, whether through its own pure low-cost long-haul flying or ACMI shielded structures on a fixed basis.

Despite this, rising fuel costs and other operational expenses put further pressure on the remaining network, such as the route to Los Angeles International Airport, and necessitate changes, such as those being made.