Norwegian Blames 737 Max Grounding for Potentially Another Year Without Profit
Photo Credit: A Norwegian Dreamliner. The airline cut its operating loss in Q1. Norwegian
Skift Take
It’s good news on the cost-cutting front, but Norwegian is still looking at a bumpy 2019, thanks in part to the continuing uncertainty over the Max aircraft.
Low-cost airline Norwegian’s plans to be profitable in 2019 are under threat from the grounding of the 737 Max aircraft.
While cutting capital expenditure and taking out costs will inevitably put the business on a more stable financial footing, the temporary unavailability of the Boeing jet will cost the carrier $57.6 million (NOK 500 million).
“Due to the uncertainty related to the Max grounding, the company [sees] increased risk related to the target of a positive net profit in 2019,” the company said.
Norwegian currently has 18 Max aircraft in its fleet and is due to get another 16 in 2019.
“None of them are of course up and flying, and we don’t expect them to be up and flying this
