Yesterday, the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority awarded an air operator’s certificate (AOC) to Norse Atlantic Airways. The airline’s goal has long been to provide cheaper and more efficient travel between Iceland and the U.S. The new airline is on track to start transatlantic flights in spring 2022.
“We would like to thank Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority for a constructive and professional process,” said founder Bjørn Tore Larsen. “We are now one important step closer to launching our attractive and affordable flights between Europe and the U.S.”
An AOC is approval granted by a national aviation authority to an aircraft operator. It allows it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. This certificate requires the operator to have personnel, assets, and systems in place to ensure the safety of its passengers.
What Norse Airline AOC means
This is a huge step in the process for a new airline in the long journey to providing commercial flights. They will now work with The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on the ongoing steps to launch.
“We’ve had a good and constructive dialogue with Norse throughout the process of issuing a Norwegian AOC. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to a continued fruitful relationship going forward,” said Director-General of the CAA of Norway, Lars E. de Lange Kobberstad. His organization runs the approval process and is responsible for the oversight of safety and regulations for all Norway’s airlines.
“I would also like to commend my colleagues at Norse for their outstanding efforts getting the important AOC in place,” Larsen added. This process is extensive, for instance, to achieve the AOC also requires developing a rigorous training program for employees.
Norse plans to start commercial operation in spring 2022. The first flights will depart from Oslo to selected cities in the U.S. At the moment, Iceland is under a strict Level-4 travel advisory. This advisory means the State Department labels the country with a red “Do Not Travel” banner. This advisory is due to COVID and hopefully will change by the spring. Larsen would like to celebrate a successful launch.
