was once told by a wise old chap there are two types of people in business.
1 - Those who can build a large business.
2 - Those who can run a large business.

very rare to find people who could do both, and also very rare to find people who will admit they can’t do the latter after being successful at the former.

https://www.newsinenglish.no/2020/05...d-for-takeoff/ Interestingly still selling LH tickets? If the credit card companies get nervous that could be curtains for the cashflow.

Meanwhile, looks like the crew are about to be well and truly shafted. They’ve already been contacted about arrangements for return of ID, uniform etc. So much for ‘positive’ news.

In a extremely formal manner via fb...

Crews and staff, going from being over joyed the company is going to survive, then squarely hit in the face, that they have to hand uniform and ID back.
Which shows to many, the job they love is gone, by submitting a CV, they may get a call back when things pick up in their base or on Long Haul.
I wish everyone in Norwegian all the best for the future, and I do hope it returns on all fronts, once again.

Thank you. That’s exactly what’s happened. It was so good to hear the news this morning, which offered a chink of light after expecting and preparing for the worst for weeks, only to be totally kicked in the teeth this evening.

Unless, this is one of those ruthless rationalisation exercises that seems to be the current trend? An opportunity to get rid of those that need to be off loaded for whatever reason and reemploy a chosen few. I’ve seen this happen in various business sectors.

Did Norwegian ever open up a 787 pilot base in FLL?

The notification is not new to many crews/employees. Employees in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland were told to hand everything in starting two weeks ago. Access to company email and other accounts was terminated yesterday for those employees.

Yes. It closed last year. Most pilots were let go, except those who had completed the EASA license conversion and had the right to live and work in Europe. There were only five or six who survived the base closing.

I don’t understand why anybody would be overjoyed unless they were Oslo based . The restructure plan didn’t include much else, even if it survived we knew there was a year plus wait for any crumbs

Totally agree. It just seems disingenuous to send happy, clappy, ‘We’re all in this together Red Nose Warriors’ messages four days ago and then, when the ink is barely dry on the deal, start to immediately cut ties.

About 1200 jobs at Gatwick will go with NAS, the word from OSM is that NLH will do direct hires as/when needed, seasonal contracts and no idea when things will start up, but unlikely before end 2021. Not sure about recovering any type rating/ training costs under the previous 2 or 3 year agreements. Red Nose warriors.. hmmm

Reported in press 20th April.
1571 Pilots and 3134 Cabin Crew without jobs! hardly a cause for their Mexican Wave, but there again, the NAS model has always been about spin, and to be fair, they are good at it, after all, who else could burn 1 Billion of other peoples money and get away with it and be declared heroes for "saving the company" . On the other hand, for 6/7 years many enjoyed working with the company and that is demonstrated by the loyalty to the "brand" even in these hard times. I guess if one was philosophical you might argue that but for COVID19 they may just have pulled it off.. Perhaps more concerning is the thought that temporary wage reductions in the industry "survivors " will become permanent as management use the pilot surplus as a bargaining chip, disregarding the cost of training replacements if one throws in the towel or the effect on moral. Although moral is usually high amongst survivors in wars !
With Virgin Pulling out of Gatwick, BA not planning to restart there and Easyjet reductions it could mean the slots are near worthless and it will be investing to see what the "independent" valuations by 2 experts are as required for the NAS07 bond criteria on 18th May.

The second part of that might be worth a fact check. Gatwick is still very much part (as of 19:27 on 5th May 2020) of the flight ops plan for BA. With the news coming out of Norwegian and Virgin they’re going to have a virtual monopoly on Gatwick LH, difficult to see them giving that up.

That would be a shame , if only BAs stuffy old offering was left .

Maybe they will continue, but management "rumour" is often a way to let the staff get used to the idea in principle: In a process called “Preparing for a Different Future”. British Airways wants rid of 12,000 of its 42,000 staff. The figures set out by the airline in letters to trade unions reveal that BA envisages 22 per cent fewer flights when aviation finally gets back in the skies.

"Many services to and from its main base, Heathrow airport, will be culled. This, though, creates a problem. BA’s most valuable asset is its slot portfolio at Heathrow. In normal times, a strict “use them or lose them” rule applies for the precious permissions to take off and land at Europe’s busiest hub. Moving most or all flights from Gatwick around to Heathrow provides a solution."

I for one would like BA to continue at LGW, it's been a cornerstone for years, and the airport are still pressing ahead with the planning to convert the emergency runway for full time ops..

Or a way of coercing/scaring staff into signing a detrimental new contract. “Sign this zero hours contract or we’ll close your base”. Trust me, BA Flight Ops still have Gatwick as part of the plan at the current time, having said that obviously it is subject to change depending on circumstances.

Norwegian might be in danger of missing a big trick here. Virgin pulling out of Gatwick, NAS still holding slots there. Several European countries (that Norwegian already fly to) are looking to open up tourism again. Wizzair already increasing flights from Luton in anticipation.

Don’t be caught sleeping Norwegian - it might be the break you need!

They’ll have a job with no NUK pilots or crew anymore . They’ll be no one qualified or employed to fly the 78s at short notice

Exactly. Meanwhile NAS are still
paying the leases and maintainance on idle aircraft which could be utilised - not forgetting the 737s as well. The business opportunity is going to go walking out the door when flying starts picking up in the next three months.