OSLO, NORWAY: Widerøe AS and Norwegian Air shuttle ASA have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to engage and develop a broad strategic co-operation framework which includes joint ticket and passenger interlining.

The agreement, a result of several months of dialogue between the parties, also sets out the joint aim to create synergies relating to both other revenues and operational efficiencies.

Co-operation between Widerøe and Norwegian is aimed at significantly easing travel within the Norwegian domestic market and onward travel, benefitting both airlines’ customers. The parties will in addition look to jointly develop and implement best-in-class sustainable aviation solutions, putting both airlines on strong footing to significantly reduce carbon footprint.

Norwegian’s CEO, Geir Karlsen said, “I am very pleased with the agreement we have entered into with Widerøe today. Our goal for this collaboration is to benefit both companies’ passengers and our employees. In many ways, this is an historic agreement bringing two Norwegian airlines together. A lot of detail is still being worked on but it’s clear from the past months’ discussions with Widerøe that there are many areas we both have a common interest to collaborate on”.

Widerøe’s CEO, Stein Nilsen said, “This is a day of joy for both Widerøe and our passengers who depend heavily on our flights to work and live in Norway. This agreement will allow customers of Norwegian and Widerøe to combine their flights with both airlines at home and abroad. The combination of Widerøe’s network along the coast and in northern Norway and Norwegian’s large European route network will create many new travel opportunities for our common customers. This new collaboration has been requested by our passengers for many years, so it is brilliant to share this news now. We still have a way to go before the agreement is final, but we work well together and have a common goal that this should be implemented as quickly as possible”.