Following through on its shift in strategy from growth to profitability, Norwegian cancels a range of European routes.
Norwegian Air has announced significant changes to its European short-haul network for the upcoming 2019/2020 winter season. Many routes will be cancelled as part of the schedule overhaul.
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It is common for European airlines, especially low-cost carriers, to reduce the frequency of services during winter, or run them as summer-only routes when demand dictates. In this case, Norwegian is ending routes that were previously established during the winter.
The announcements come just a few months after the airline cancelled many of its long-haul routes between the USA and Europe. This was then followed by the culling of all its routes between Ireland and the USA.
Read more: Earn free flights (Norway residents only)
What’s changing?
The route changes include services operated by both Norwegian Air International (D8) and Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY).
All routes from the UK routes are all untouched. The Norwegian hubs in Helsinki (HEL) and Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) will see several routes cut including those to Milan (MXP), Madrid (MAD) and Dublin (DUB). Copenhagen (CPH) has just a few cancellations, including the service to Dublin.
Read more: Domestic Flights in Norway
From Oslo, Flights to Agadir and Fuerteventura are cancelled. The service from Sandefjord-Torp to Malaga is cancelled for the winter season.
Also hit is Norwegian’s operation in Spain. Many services between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands are cancelled, along with services to other places including Germany.
Why is Norwegian cutting routes?
An airline spokesperson said the airline is looking at ways to further improve profitability. This follows the change of strategy from growth to profitability, announced earlier his year by co-founder and CEO Bjørn Kjos, before he stepped down.
“As part of this strategy we have carried out a comprehensive review of our network in response to the changing market environment and the commercial merit of specific routes which has led to a number of adjustments to our winter 2019 programme,” said a spokesperson.
The airline also emphasised the ongoing delays with getting the Boeing 737 MAX back in the air. Norwegian’s fleet of 18 MAX aircraft were grounded earlier this year following two major accidents. This led directly to a number of cancellations, including the Irish long-haul routes.
Anyone impacted by the change should contact Norwegian customer service for rebooking or refund information.
I have flown with the airline twice and have been delayed 9 hours each time! They are rubbish. The latest delay was from Malaga Airport to London Gatwick airport on Saturday. They never give compensation either!
That is literally completely incorrect. I fly a ton with Norwegian, I have had cancelled and delayed flights and they always process EU law reimbursement. It may take time, two months, but they have never denied correct compensation. You do not appear to be aware how to apply.
Actually I have always had a good experience with them and would gladly book through them again. No frills, no problem. On time.
Bad news, especially cutting Warsaw-Malaga route that I used quite frequently also in the Winter. Most of the times it used to be quite packed as well, so a bit surprising move…
I have always been very satisfied flying with Norwegian
Great company, love flying with them
I have flown twice a year round trip from Oakland to Rome, spring and fall for at least 2 years and have found them to have excellent seating, not-worth–the-surcharge food and on time service.
Never had issues with Norwegian airlines! A few delays sometimes but overall great value for the money. Hope they will stay for long.
Too many airlines over the past few years have focused of growth and market share before they came to realize- often too late – that a market that perpetually loses money on every seat sold is a market you really don’t want to be in. Yes- the loss of the MAX has had an impact but airlines who established themselves by selling seats over the internet for a dollar that cost them 2 dollars to operate – were in trouble long before the MAX was removed from service.
There will be certainly bargain hunters who will lament the loss of their cherished routes but to be fair – airline operations remaining in the black are far more important than satisfying the wants of cheap tickets.
I love Norwegian Airlines I never had any problems with them, they have great service and always very helpful, and the staff always greet me with a smile. For me that’s the only Airlines I fly.. Norwegian Airlines is the Best
Really poor customer service when Gatwick closed due to drone activity. But otherwise a decent provider.
Never had issues with them before, but now they cancelled my Christmas flights that I booked months ago. Really disappointed, as it was a 2h direct flight, and they only offer me alternative flights of 13 hours doing 1-2 scales, which I can’t accept as I would waste two days just travelling, instead of only a few hours. I can ask for a refund, but all the flights from other companies are too expensive now… so will avoid booking again with them from now on.
The article is wrong, the UK is affected, our Manchester to Stockholm flight has been cancelled. Will never use them again.
Ive been using Norwegian for a few years and been happy enough, buy in advance and good deals available, there always seems to be a delay but typically an hour or so and for the price its been acceptable. Until this year, first one, two days before flying out our return Malaga to UK was rescheduled but the offered flight was 3 days prior to the original (not ideal in a 6 day break), which meant having to book new flights short notice costing £1350 (original Norwegian £320), the other journey isn’t due until August 2020, but already moved from am to very late pm, so not suitable for us, so I cancelled again, this time alternatives only £100 more than the Norwegian flights, but I don’t trust Norwegian to change it again, so they’re on my naughty list along with BA/Iberia.