The move is set to include an interline agreement covering domestic routes in Norway and onward international services.
“We still have a way to go before the agreement is final, but we work well together and have a common goal that this should be implemented as quickly as possible,” Nilsen said.
In Norway’s domestic market, Norwegian is the largest operator with a capacity share of about 33%, OAG Schedules Analyser data shows. SAS, which last week filed for bankruptcy protection in the US, is the second-largest carrier, accounting for some 32% of all domestic departure seats, while Widerøe is the third largest on 29%.
Analysis of the OAG data reveals that Widerøe offers 92 domestic routes in Norway, connecting many smaller communities that rely on air service. Norwegian has a network of 19 domestic routes and 114 international services from Norway.
Geir Karlsen added, Norwegian is planning to rapidly grow from 70 to 100 aircraft over the coming two years and the LCC has since firmed an order with Boeing for 50 737-8s.