Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen, Communication Manager Norwegian Air: More and more Asians will visit Europe in the coming years and Norwegian is definitely going to be one of the carriers that fly them to Europe and Scandinavia – comfortably and affordably.
Norwegian Air is the first European low cost carrier to have launched non stop flights to Asia with Bangkok out of Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. The first flight between Oslo and Bangkok took place earlier in June.
How is Norwegian looking to position itself on the Scandinavia-Thailand market? Only leisure or a mix of traffic? Purely Scandinavian/European or do you think that Asians could come and fly with you? Any strategies to in fact attract Asian customers?
Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen – In the beginning we expect that most of our passengers will be Scandinavians. However, we believe that more and more Asians will visit Europe in the coming years and Norwegian is definitely going to be one of the carriers that fly them to Europe and Scandinavia – comfortably and affordably.
Do you think that you are in a position to replace SAS as a hub airline but also a business travel airline? Do you intend to work with business companies or do you let this market to Thai Airways?
L.S-N. – Our primary target group is the leisure market, but we believe that we have a product that will also attract frequent flying business travelers. The integration of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in our intercontinental schedule from August will further enhance our product. The Dreamline is Boeing’s most advanced aircraft on the market. It offers an outstanding passenger comfort, features that really matter when you fly long-haul. The B787 will then serve all of our intercontinental routes.
What are your expectations for the Bangkok market? Will you flight all year around or let frequencies fluctuate according to demand?
L.S-N. – These figures are not official, but I can say that we expect solid demand, and judging from the response so far, we are very satisfied. The first flight Oslo-Bangkok was sold out as soon as we opened the sales. Our plan is then to fly all year around between Scandinavia and Thailand.
Do you see more opportunities to fly to the Far East beside Bangkok? If yes, to where?
L.S-N. – Asia is a very interesting market. The passenger streams will in the future go from Asia to Europe, not the other way around, which means that Norwegian will definitely open many more and routes to and from exciting destinations in Asia.
Your sales will be mostly on internet or do you want a mix with travel retailers? If yes, what could be the percentage in Scandinavia and in Thailand?
L.S-N. – The majority of our sales is done through internet. The web provides global visibility on low fares including in Asia, and this will dictate the competitive dynamic in future.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
