The low-cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle announced on Thursday that it would finally give up the long-haul business. This was never profitable and contributed significantly to the build-up of the enormous mountain of debt. In the future, the group intends to concentrate primarily on flights within Norway and Europe.

In Europe, no carrier has so far been able to operate successfully on long-haul routes, although there have already been numerous attempts. Norwegian also wanted to know and failed not only because of the corona crisis. The group built an almost obscure structure that at times even included a subsidiary in Argentina. Financially they were neither in South America nor on the long haul.

Company boss Jacob Schram announces that Norwegian intends to reactivate the European network with around 50 aircraft in the course of the year. The manager explains that the short-haul routes are the backbone of the carrier and should form the basis of a “resilient business model”. Currently, Ireland and Norway are also under bankruptcy protection with several daughters. The government of the Scandinavian country refused additional aid or loans, referring to the enormous mountain of debt.

“I am pleased to be able to present a solid business plan today that enables a fresh start. By concentrating on short-haul routes, we want to win existing and new investors, satisfy our customers and support the infrastructure and travel industry in Norway, the Nordic countries and Europe, ”said Schram in a broadcast.

Now Norwegian has to solve a completely different construction site: The long-haul fleet has to go. Intensive negotiations are already being conducted with the lessors for this purpose. You no longer want to accept open orders for the Boeing 787 model. So there are now some Dreamliners that are available at short notice on the market.