Norwegian has signed an agreement to acquire four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the airline has confirmed.
The new Dreamliners are expected to enter service in 2017 and 2018.
The airline currently has three 787-8 Dreamliners in its fleet, with an additional five on order. It also has two 787-9 Dreamliners on order for delivery in the first quarter of 2016.
In total, Norwegian has ordered a fleet of 14 long-haul aircraft; four will enter service in 2014; one in 2015; two in 2016; two in 2017 and two in 2018.
“In order to run a competitive long-haul operation, we are dependent on brand new, cost-efficient aircraft,” said Norwegian’s CEO Bjørn Kjos.
“I´m very satisfied to have secured an additional four 787-9 Dreamliners. This is a great airplane with high passenger comfort, long range and low fuel burn.”
Yesterday Norwegian confirmed Irish authorities have granted the airline with an air operator’s certificate and operating licence enabling it to run from its Dublin base.
The airline’s controversial decision to move its operations to Dublin have been criticised by parts of the industry that claim the main reason for the move is to bypass Norway’s strict labour laws, which would prevent it from hiring cheap workers.
NAI deny this claim and said the move is to gain access to future traffic rights to and from the EU.
Norwegian.com