Gatwick welcomes Norwegian long haul services
London Gatwick has welcomed Norwegian’s announcement that it will begin three new non-stop long haul services to North America from next summer.
The routes include direct flights to New York, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale.
Stewart Wingate, chief executive, London Gatwick, said: “This is one of the most exciting route developments since Gatwick’s change of ownership four years ago and shows the benefits to passengers of Gatwick competing with Heathrow on routes, price and service.
“Norwegian’s decision to re-establish London Gatwick’s links to strategic destinations in North America gives passengers, once again, real choice about how to get there and, importantly, provide options for affordable travel to popular business and leisure destinations.
“Norwegian’s decision to operate high quality services on new long range aircraft offering good-value fares to the US from London Gatwick is a significant industry game-changer.
“It points to a future in which more and more long haul routes will be served by Gatwick.
“This is an important industry development that I am sure the Airports Commission will want to look at closely when considering the future shape of aviation.”
Since its move to Gatwick from Stansted in 2009, Norwegian has increased its flights from the airport by more than a third.
In spring 2013, it introduced a UK base at Gatwick and started 12 new direct European routes.