Norwegian will begin its transatlantic expansion from Edinburgh Airport today with the first of three new routes to the US east coast taking-off.
Norwegian’s inaugural flight to the USA will depart from Edinburgh Airport at 5:15pm, commencing its daily service to Stewart International Airport in New York. This week, Norwegian will also launch its first services to Providence, Rhode Island on Friday (16 June) and the UK’s only direct service to Hartford, Connecticut in the heart of New England on Saturday (17 June).
To support the new transatlantic routes, Norwegian has now officially opened a new pilot and cabin crew base at Edinburgh Airport, creating more than 130 jobs to contribute to the Scottish economy. The new Edinburgh base joins London Gatwick to become Norwegian’s second UK base as the carrier continues its rapid growth in Britain.
Norwegian Chief Executive Officer, Bjorn Kjos said: “I’m very pleased to mark this major milestone which gives passengers in Edinburgh and Scotland the opportunity to travel to the USA at truly affordable fares.
“Consumers have responded positively to our affordable fares on both sides of the Atlantic which is stimulating increased tourism and business travel to and from Scotland.
“Not only is Norwegian transforming transatlantic travel by connecting smaller cities in huge catchment areas but we’re also unlocking affordable direct high quality travel to a new market of travellers.
“As such, Edinburgh is important to our future UK growth and it will allow us to create more Scottish jobs at Norwegian which in turn benefits the workforce of Scotland’s tourism industry.”