Norwegian Group's Passenger Traffic Soars in February

In a remarkable showcase of growth and operational efficiency, the Norwegian Group reported a total of 1.5 million passengers in February, marking a significant stride in the aviation sector. The group's flagship carrier, Norwegian, alongside Widerøe, their regional partner, have demonstrated an impressive collaboration, leading to a combined passenger count of 1,539,038. Notably, Norwegian has achieved an 86 percent load factor in February, a 2 percentage point increase from the previous year, nearing its highest load factor for this month.

The surge in passengers underscores the robust trust and value that customers place on Norwegian's offerings, highlighted by CEO Geir Karlsen. "A load factor of 86 percent is close to the highest ever recorded for the month of February," Karlsen noted, attributing the success to strong booking trends across all markets, particularly as flights fill up for the Easter holiday period. This uptick in passenger numbers is a testament to the growing preference for Norwegian's services.

Further illustrating the group's operational prowess, Norwegian operated an average of 68 aircraft in February, boasting a 99.4 percent regularity in scheduled flights and an 81 percent punctuality rate. Such figures not only reflect the airline's commitment to reliability but also its capacity to enhance customer satisfaction through timely services.

The collaboration between Norwegian and Widerøe has been fruitful, with February seeing Norwegian Red Handling taking over ground services for Widerøe at Alicante, and Widerøe Ground Handling reciprocating at several Norwegian airports. This synergy has proven beneficial, as Geir Karlsen, Norwegian's CEO, acknowledged the acquisition's success in capturing synergies across various areas, promising continued improvement and cooperation for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The monthly traffic report, enriched with historic traffic numbers for Widerøe from January 2022 to December 2023, further accentuates the positive trajectory. Widerøe itself saw an 8 percent increase in production and a 2 percentage point rise in load factor to 67 percent in February compared to the same period last year.

This performance signals a promising outlook for the Norwegian Group as it capitalizes on operational efficiencies, collaborative strengths, and a customer-centric approach, setting a high standard for the aviation industry and enhancing the travel experience for its passengers.