“I am pleased about the double-digit percentage increase in passengers travelling with Norwegian compared to June last year, as well as the positive passenger figures for Widerøe. Primarily due to a significant capacity increase on longer flights, Norwegian experienced a slight decrease in yield and load factor. We are excited to continue serving a growing number of customers as they embark on their summer holidays,” said Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.
The capacity (ASK) was 3,706 million seat kilometres, up 18 percent from the same period last year. Actual passenger traffic (RPK) was 3,126 million seat kilometres, an increase of 16 percent from June 2023. Load factor has improved compared to April and May, while being down 1 percentage point from June 2023. In June, Norwegian operated with a regularity, meaning share of scheduled flights taking place, of 99.4 percent. The punctuality, meaning share of flights departing within 15 minutes of scheduled time, was 75.0 percent, down 1.4 percentage points from June last year. However, 96 percent of all flights arrived within 60 minutes of scheduled arrival time. The airline operated an average of 86 aircraft.
Expansion in the North
The last month also saw several route launches from Norwegian. The airline has launched a total of 50 new routes so far this year. In particular, the Northern Norway destinations have increased in popularity. Norwegian has established ten new routes between Northern Norway and European cities.
“We are enthusiastic about the growing interest in Northern destinations from Europe. The extensive networks of Norwegian and Widerøe in Norway, along with our new routes in Sweden and Finland, allow us to connect European travellers with the best that the North has to offer,” said Geir Karlsen.
For Widerøe the capacity (ASK) in June was 185 million seat kilometres. The actual passenger traffic (RPK) was 142 million seat kilometres, while the load factor was 76.8 percent, up 5 percentage points from June last year.
Revised profit outlook for 2024
During its results announcement for the first quarter of 2024 on 24 April, the Norwegian group provided a results outlook forecasting an operating profit (EBIT) of NOK 2.5 to 3.2 billion for the full-year of 2024. The profit outlook excluded any profits from Widerøe, the regional carrier which Norwegian acquired in January of 2024. Unit costs excluding fuel for Norwegian was forecasted to be flat compared to 2023. The USD/NOK exchange rate was assumed to be 10.5.
The group is now forecasting a group operating profit (EBIT) for 2024 of NOK 2.1 billion to NOK 2.6 billion, including Widerøe. The adjustment in the results outlook is predominantly a result of four factors. Firstly, softer traffic demand during the second quarter, with a contraction in both load factor and yield compared to last year. Secondly, a higher than projected wage settlement for pilots following the conclusion of new collective-bargaining agreements this quarter. Thirdly, aircraft delivery delays from Boeing, which has forced the company to source external capacity corresponding to between one and two aircraft during the summer season. And finally, the NOK exchange rate has been weaker as compared to the US dollar. The company is also forecasting unit cost excluding fuel for Norwegian to increase by a low single-digit percentage compared to 2023. The forecasts are based on current foreign exchange and jet fuel forward prices for the remainder of the year.
