LOW cost airline Norwegian Air has finally announced a range of new transatlantic flights from Ireland after months of speculation.
In total, the airline will launch 10 new routes and 38 weekly transatlantic flights from Belfast, Cork, Shannon and Dublin to greater New York, Boston and New England areas.
Norwegian Air will offer passengers one-way flights from as little as €69 (£58), inclusive of taxed and charges, starting from July 1.
Tickets on the next lowest pricing tier start at £159.
One-way tickets from Dublin to New York on other airlines currently average at roughly £522 for July, when Norwegian’s new flights officially launch.
The company announced the new routes in a bid to put pressure on US carriers who are finding it increasingly difficult compete with increasingly low-fare international airlines.
Speaking at the launch of the new routes Cork Airport today, Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said his company was seeking to shake up transatlantic air travel.
“We are pleased to announce our new highly-anticipated transatlantic routes. Our new, non-stop service will enable tens of thousands of new travellers to fly between the continents much more affordably,” Mr Kjos said.
“With the first ever transatlantic flights from Cork, we are shaking up transatlantic travel with ground-breaking fares and never before seen routes.
“The cost of transatlantic travel has been too high for too long so by connecting Irish cities with smaller US airports, we can offer some truly affordable fares, allowing as many people as possible to fly.”
Norwegian is Europe’s third largest low-cost carrier, carrying 30 million yearly passengers to more than 140 global destinations.
It has long been a nuisance to American airlines who have complained in the past Norwegian Air have added flights that exceed traveller demand, pushing down fares and hurting airlines' revenue.
Tickets have gone on sale immediately on the airline’s website.
