BREAKING: Norwegian Air Expands Service To Norway Direct From T.F. Green
GoLocalProv Business Team
BREAKING: Norwegian Air Expands Service To Norway Direct From T.F. Green
How successful is the Norwegian Air international service launch at T.F. Green Airport? Less than two weeks after announcing service in Rhode Island, Norwegian Air has added direct flights to Bergen, Norway.
Tickets went on sale this morning at a discounted fare of $109 to Norway and $105.50 for return flights.
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Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and is over 900 years old with roots in the Viking era.
Norwegian Air started selling direct flight tickets from T. F. Green to Ireland, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on February 23 and 10,000 $65 fare tickets sold out in less than 12 hours.
The addition of direct flights to Norway is another game changer for Rhode Island tourism and for European travel for Rhode Islanders.
About the Airport in Bergen
Bergen Airport Flesland is Norway’s second biggest airport, and it serves as a regional airport for the whole of Hordaland and large parts of Western Norway. Although Bergen Airport is a big airport, it has a nice atmosphere and good facilities which make flying one of the most comfortable and efficient ways of getting to Bergen from other towns and cities in Norway. There are direct services to Flesland from 37 cities abroad, and the route between Oslo and Bergen is one of the busiest in Europe.
Seven Things You Need to Know About Norwegian Air
#1
Where can you fly direct from T.F. Green?
Five direct destinations were announced on Thursday -
Cork, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Shannon, Ireland
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Edinburgh, Scotland
#2
How much are the fares?
The initial flights are truly $65, but the 10,000 allotted tickets sold out before 6 p.m. on the first day.
The fares are now $99 each way.
As RI Governor Gina Raimondo said at the press conference about the $65 fare - "it is just $12 an hour."
#3
Will they be adding other destinations?
Yes, already one new route is coming online in the near future.
It is rumored to be to Norway.
And there are strong efforts by Rhode Island officials to encourage more direct flights to more European cities.
#4
How many other Americans go to Ireland every year?
According to Irish travel officials, 1.4 million Americans traveled to Ireland in 2016.
Ireland captured 10% of all the Americans traveling to Europe.
#5
How many jobs will be created?
Initially, 75 Rhode Island-based employees will be hired and that is expected to immediately grow to 200. Additionally, direct jobs tied to the expansion are expected to create another 200.
Included in these first 75 are the flight crews. Pilots on average earn $120,000 to $250,000.
#6
What is the weekly schedule?
• Year-round service to Edinburgh from Providence: Flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays starting June 16; Service will be reduced on certain routes during the winter 2017/2018 season.
• Service to Belfast will be twice weekly from Providence as of July 2. Days of operations will change between the summer 2017 and the winter 2017/2018 winter season.
• Service to Dublin from Providence: Flights will operate five weekly flights starting July 2. Days of operations from Providence will change between the summer 2017 and the winter 2017/2018 winter season.
• Service to Shannon from Providence will begin on July 3 with twice-weekly flights. Days of operations will change between the summer 2017 and the winter 2017/2018 winter season.
• Year-round service to Cork from Providence will start on July 1 with three weekly flights. Days of operations will change between the summer 2017 and the winter 2017/2018 winter season.
#7
Why is this such a “game changer” for Rhode Island’s economy?
In the early 1990s, then-Governor Bruce Sundlun envisioned and realized a redevelopment and expansion of T.F. Green. The airport exploded. When Southwest Airlines came, the airport reached new popularity and transformed as a significant alternative to Logan, but over the past few years competition took its toll on Green.
Now, Sundlun's dream and vision of Green being an international hub is becoming real. The airport has the opportunity to be a spark to international tourism and business.
