NORWEGIAN ABANDONS LONG-HAUL NETWORK

NORWEGIAN ABANDONS LONG-HAUL NETWORK

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/covid-norwegian-airline-jobs-gatwick-b1787103.html

Link to Norwegian's press release here: https://media.uk.norwegian.com/pressrel ... rk-3064682

If you ask me, abandoning long-haul is simply what Norwegian had to do to give itself a fighting chance of survival. I would argue that entering the long-haul market and its subsequent execution is a major factor behind their financial woes. The reliability (in the early days) and engine issues with the 787's along with the 737 MAX groundings wouldn't have helped their cause either.

I doubt airlines such as VS or BA will now be abandoning the hand luggage-only Y fares they've introduced in recent years, some of which was no doubt introduced in response to Norwegian wading into their respective territories in the long-haul market. Likewise with the densification of the LGW-based BA 777's.

All that said, I feel for the staff affected.

That’s another competitor gone from Gatwick.

The number of options for flying to Orlando is dropping. I was going to say that maybe Tui will finally switch from Sanford to MCO but given Disney’s decision to ditch its Magical Express Service, it’s not going to make much difference!

That’s another competitor gone from Gatwick.

The number of options for flying to Orlando is dropping. I was going to say that maybe Tui will finally switch from Sanford to MCO but given Disney’s decision to ditch its Magical Express Service, it’s not going to make much difference!

Hi Moley. TUI are actually switching from Sanford to 'Orlando Melbourne' airport from Spring 2022 - see https://www.tui.co.uk/press/tui-uk-announces-new-florida-airport-from-2022/

I think depending on how the recovery pans out, LGW now has significant gaps in long-haul leisure which will need to be filled by somebody.

Port Canaveral's proximity to MLB was specifically name-checked when TUI announced their moving of ops from SFB to MLB. Given they also own Marella Cruises, it makes you wonder if this was partly done with a view to offering holidays involving cruises to/from Port Canaveral?

Either way, time will tell how well TUI get on at MLB. I guess people won't mind if the price is right given their long-standing presence at SFB all these years despite the distance from the main Orlando attractions, plus their onboard product on the 787 isn't something to turn your nose up to I gather. Less than ideal though if you have to drive to/from the Gulf Coast, but then TUI will have their own data of where their customers go on holiday in the Sunshine State.

I also agree that there's gaps in the route network from LGW, as well as overall drops in whatever capacity remains moving forward. Same with MAN to be fair which is something Aer Lingus is looking to exploit.

That’s another competitor gone from Gatwick.

The number of options for flying to Orlando is dropping. I was going to say that maybe Tui will finally switch from Sanford to MCO but given Disney’s decision to ditch its Magical Express Service, it’s not going to make much difference!

I wonder if the penny is finally dropping with Disney that many people who holiday at Disney don't necessarily want to stay on site from start to finish?

That said, it's a perk of staying at a Disney hotel either end of a trip that's no more after this calendar year.

That’s another competitor gone from Gatwick.

The number of options for flying to Orlando is dropping. I was going to say that maybe Tui will finally switch from Sanford to MCO but given Disney’s decision to ditch its Magical Express Service, it’s not going to make much difference!

I wonder if the penny is finally dropping with Disney that many people who holiday at Disney don't necessarily want to stay on site from start to finish?

That said, it's a perk of staying at a Disney hotel either end of a trip that's no more after this calendar year.

I doubt it. It’s just another cost cutting exercise surely? APs at Disneyland* cut and the Extra Magic Hours cancellation pretty much rolled into the same announcement.

* - wrong thread/forum for it, but I don’t quite understand their logic here. We’ve owned Universal AP’s for a while and the amount of money we put it into the ecosystem each visit surely outweighs the cheap visits.

(Just to stress this is only Disneyland Annual Passes and not Orlando)

The extra magic hours thing is being changed. Ever on-site guest will get early 30 mins entry to any park they want on any day they want, rather than just an extra hour(s) at a specific park on a specific day.

Mears, who run the magical express have already confirmed they will continue the service but I don’t think this will include the baggage facility where your bags automatically appear at your hotel room. Rumours also say that around the time Disney’s magical express finish the new Brightline train that leaves MCO will stop at Disney Springs where you will then be able to jump on a resort bus.

Not ideal when your humping suitcases around but another option.

David

Thoughts with the staff affected, particularly those UK based crews at LGW A very sad time indeed for them personally, but also, for the travel industry more broadly, DY was a huge player at LGW with Long Haul travel and had quite a route network with some really big ticket destinations. I will set aside the questions about viability and profitability for the main part, but there was some demand being stoked for sure.

This will be another body blow, whilst inevitable, for LGW, it’s longer term recovery I fear will take some time!

It might sound slightly callous but with another TATL player out of the market, does this help VS in the medium term once the US reopens?

Another key question to be asked - what will IAG now do with the remaining LEVEL routes? I suspect quietly dropped as there’s just no need for it now!