Can Norwegian Air Survive?
Photo Credit: Norwegian Air, which flies the Boeing 787 seen here, will have a slow first quarter. Flickr / PeS-Photo
Skift Take
We suspect Norwegian Air, which is in weaker financial shape than most passengers might expect, will survive 2019. But the first quarter will be an important harbinger of things to come. It's always a rough period for European airlines because leisure demand is slow.
Would you buy a ticket for summer travel on Norwegian Air?
It's a question I'm struggling with as I plan the great Sumers European family vacation of 2019. From Los Angeles, Norwegian is not only the cheapest, but also often the most convenient. While legacy carriers fly only to their hubs, Norwegian flies to cities tourists want to visit, including, in our case, Copenhagen.
But will Norwegian be around come July?
Just before Christmas, while most of us were not paying attention, Norwegian told investors it would tweak its network, while selling five of its Airbus aircraft. The airline seeks to stem early-year losses, the most difficult for European airlines because leisure customers dig in for winter. An aviation analyst told Bloomberg, “It could be a very tough winter and first quarter."
My
