Norwegian Group Carriers: 2.6M Passengers in October 2024

Norwegian Group Reports Strong Passenger Growth for October 2024

The Norwegian Group, which includes the budget airline Norwegian and the regional carrier Widerøe, has unveiled impressive performance metrics for October 2024. With a significant increase in passenger numbers and load factors, both airlines are poised for a successful holiday season at the end of 2024. This surge in travel demand highlights the resilience of the aviation sector as it continues to recover from previous challenges.

In October 2024, Norwegian carried a remarkable 2,197,751 passengers, while Widerøe transported 372,757 passengers, bringing the total to 2,570,508 for the month. Norwegian’s capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), increased by 10% compared to October 2023, achieving a load factor of nearly 87%. This marks a record for the low-cost airline, excluding the peak summer month of July 2024.

Impressive Capacity and Load Factor Increases

Norwegian’s available seat kilometers for the month totaled 3,437 million, while revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) reached 2,982 million, representing an 11% increase from the previous year. The overall load factor climbed by 0.6 percentage points compared to October 2023, reaching 86.8%. Furthermore, Norwegian maintained a flight completion rate of 99.3%, with on-time punctuality at 81.8%, down slightly from the previous year but an improvement over earlier months in 2024.

The airline operated an average of 85 aircraft during October, consisting of 63 Boeing 737-800s with 186 seats and 22 Boeing 737 MAX 8s with 189 seats.

CEO Insights on Future Growth

“This October has been solid, and I am pleased that we have delivered increased unit revenue and load factor, while at the same time delivering double-digit capacity growth,” stated Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian. With the winter season and Christmas holidays approaching, he expressed excitement about strong booking momentum for both Norwegian and Widerøe. Travelers are encouraged to book early to secure their plans during this busy period.

Karlsen also highlighted the opening of a new base in Gran Canaria, which will enhance the airline’s operations and support new leisure routes during the winter season.

Widerøe Continues Its Upward Trend

On the regional front, Widerøe reported a strong performance in October 2024, carrying 372,757 passengers, up from last year. This growth was driven by a solid load factor and an increase in capacity. Karlsen praised the efforts of Widerøe’s team, noting their commitment to delivering an appealing product to a growing passenger base.

Widerøe’s capacity in October reached 192 million seat kilometers, a 5% increase from the previous year. The carrier’s RPK was 141 million seat kilometers, resulting in an overall load factor of 73.6%, up 5.2 percentage points from October 2023. The airline operated a fleet of 50 aircraft, including 47 De Havilland Canada DHC-8 turboprops and three Embraer ERJ-190 regional jets, servicing 122 routes to 52 destinations across 10 countries.

Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead

The Norwegian Group’s robust performance in October 2024 signals a promising outlook for the airline industry as travel demand continues to surge. With strategic expansions and a focus on customer satisfaction, both Norwegian and Widerøe are well-positioned for future growth.

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