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Date Published: 30/08/2022

Norwegian Airlines to expand its Alicante base with more routes and aircraft

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The low-cost airline is extending its permanent base at Alicante-Elche airport on the Costa Blanca from 2023

Norwegian Airlines to expand its Alicante base with more routes and aircraft

During the global Covid pandemic, the previously struggling Norwegian Airlines was forced to lay-off 7,000 employees of which 1,200 were based in Spain, and close three of its five Spanish bases, with the exception of Malaga and Alicante-Elche, also known as El Altet.

However, by the end of last year, the airline looked like it was taking off once again having previously filed for bankruptcy protection in Ireland, reporting an operating profit of 129.5 million euros in the second quarter of 2022.

And with things shaping up to return to pre-pandemic levels, Norwegian has revealed plans to re-establish the company's former presence at its base at Alicante-Elche airport from 2023, with more aircraft and routes to and from the province.

Norwegian had four planes based at Alicante airport before the pandemic, although after the Covid stoppage and the slow recovery of international air traffic, this base was limited to one aircraft in the winter of 2021.

Currently, the airline has two aircraft based in Alicante, and by next year there will be three.

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Having an airline base means that the first plane of the day departs from Alicante and the last one of each day lands here, which means that the crews stay overnight in the province, as well as the mechanical and technical team.

Norwegian's aim is to strengthen connections between Spain and northern Europe and plans to hire 300 pilots in Europe by 2023.

The low-cost airline has also announced that it will once again have a base at Barcelona-El Prat airport from next year.

"This is a reactivation plan after the crisis that forced a drastic reduction in the fleet and operations, which also includes the acquisition of 15 new aircraft. This will increase the fleet from 70 to 85 Boeing 737s," said the company in a statement.

Now read: Wheelchair user humiliated on Ryanir flight to Spain

Image: Norwegian.com

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