Norwegian long-haul start-up carrier Norse Atlantic Airways has signed to lease nine Boeing 787s from Irish-based lessor AerCap.
The nine aircraft comprise six 787-9s and three 787-8s – all of which are used, and all of which are fitted with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
AerCap says it will start to deliver the twinjets to the carrier this year.
Norse Atlantic Airways intends to launch long-haul low-cost services, connecting major cities in Europe and the USA.
The airline has emerged after budget carrier Norwegian shed its own long-haul operation – which used a fleet of Trent-powered 787s – as part of wide-ranging restructuring measures as the company came under substantial financial pressure.
Norse Atlantic, which plans to start services in December, describes the leasing agreements with AerCap affiliates as featuring “attractive rates and payment terms”, providing flexibility to the new airline during its start-up phase.
All nine aircraft will be introduced to the airline by the end of the first quarter of 2022. The carrier is leasing the 787-9s for about 12 years and the 787-8s for eight.
“Norse Atlantic Airways looks forward to providing our passengers with comfortable, affordable, intercontinental travel aboard these state-of-the-art aircraft,” says Norse Atlantic chief Bjorn Tore Larsen.
AerCap chief commercial officer Peter Anderson says the 787 is the “perfect aircraft” for the airline to commence its long-haul, low-cost operations.
