Solo travelers have never had it easy when shopping for a cruise. That $1,500 cruise price usually has an asterisk that says, “based on double occupancy.” The single price is often double the published price. The logic? Like a hotel room, a typical cruise cabin accommodates two (or sometimes more) people. Hotels almost always charge a fixed room price for one or two guests, and cruise lines tend to follow this logic.
Norway Allows Norwegian’s Takeover Of Airline Widerøe
22.12.2023 - 13:42 / forbes.com
In a surprise move, the Norwegian Competition Authority has approved the acquisition of Norway’s regional carrier Widerøe by Norwegian for 1.1 billion kroner ($107 million).
Widerøe is a long-established airline known for connecting Norway’s small, regional airports, especially in remote areas. It uses a fleet of primarily Dash-8 turboprop aircraft but has recently acquired three Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with which it serves longer routes in Norway and selected international routes, notably to and from Bergen.
This acquisition was originally announced in July but, as expected, was held up by the country’s competition authority. Just a few weeks ago, the Authority rejected the takeover based on concerns it might weaken competition in the aviation industry.
However, in a quick, surprise turnaround, the Authority reversed its decision. “Following the parties' responses, the Authority has carried out further analyzes and assessments. The inspectorate has now come to the conclusion that there are insufficient grounds to stop the acquisition,” stated the Authority in a press release.
Both Widerøe and Norwegian have struggled financially, especially after the pandemic, but have shown signs of improvement. Widerøe CEO Sten Nilsen previously said he viewed the takeover as a “positive development for the company” and told NRK the competition authority’s reversal is “the best Christmas present I could have received.”
Following the expected completion of the takeover, Widerøe will continue to operate as an independent company with its own brand and headquarters in Bodø. The acquisition is expected to offer better route options to customers, especially in the rural areas, and contribute to securing Norwegian jobs.
Although initially surprising analysts, the move makes a lot of strategic sense. Widerøe serves more than 40 small and medium-sized airports, primarily in Northern Norway and rural fjord areas.
Norwegian provides direct flights from Oslo to key Widerøe hubs such as Bergen, Trondheim, Bodø, and Tromsø, and serves more than 100 destinations in the Nordics and leisure destinations in Europe. Widerøe does serve some European destinations but generally does not compete with Norwegian.
Marianne Dobak Kvensjø, County Councilor for Transport in Nordland, expressed satisfaction with the Competition Authority's decision, viewing it as a “positive development for air passengers, particularly in Nordland.”
One visible change is likely to be a change in loyalty program. Frequent Widerøe flyers are able to collect and use EuroBonus points on certain routes, a legacy of Widerøe’s former close partnership with SAS. Although it hasn't been officially announced, the incorporation of the Norwegian Reward loyalty program
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
forbes.com
06.01.2024 / 13:33
Cruisers Riding Wave Of Improved Starlink Ship-To-Shore Connectivity
Chris and Joe Scott of Fredericksburg, Virginia are members of the Travelers’ Century Club. The couple has visited 115 countries to date and will be adding six more when they disembark from their current voyage on Norwegian Cruise Lines later this month.
lonelyplanet.com
06.01.2024 / 07:43
Slow Travel: Crossing the Arctic Circle by train - in pursuit of the Northern Lights
Our slow travel series explores how you can take more mindful journeys by train, boat, bus, or bike – with tips on how to reach your destination without flying, and what to see and do along the way. Here, Daniel James Clarke explains how he traveled from Lapland to the Lofoten Islands, crossing the Arctic Circle aboard two of Scandinavia’s most scenic train journeys.
forbes.com
05.01.2024 / 15:57
Unlocking Luxury: Insights From New Survey On High-End Travel
Defining the true essence of the luxury travel experience can be challenging for both travel providers and travel advisors.
forbes.com
05.01.2024 / 15:57
The Most Anticipated New Hotels And Coolest Restaurants Of 2024
The promise of a new year always comes with the arrival of new hotels and resorts, and the editors of Forbes Travel Guide have compiled a list of the 30 most anticipated hotel openings of 2024. From the Dominican Republic to Dubai, here are the properties worth checking out—and into—this year.
forbes.com
05.01.2024 / 15:57
How To Move To Norway In 2024
Norway, along with the rest of the Nordic region, is frequently hailed as one of the happiest places to live in the world, boasting one of the highest standards of living. If you’ve ever visited the fjords and fallen in love with the natural beauty, you’ve likely wondered what it would be like to live in Norway.
travelandleisure.com
03.01.2024 / 20:01
There's a New Flight to Greece From This U.S. Hub Launching in May — and Fares Start at Just $249
It just got easier to visit Greece from the United States. Norse Atlantic Airways, a low-cost airline based in Oslo, Norway, announced a new route between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Athens International Airport in Greece on Wednesday. The flight will operate five times per week from May 30, 2024 through Oct. 26, 2024, the airline shared withTravel + Leisure. The new flight has a duration of 9 hours and 35 minutes. Currently, the airline operates service between New York and Athens with a stopover in London’s Gatwick airport for a total duration of 18 hours. “This launch underscores our commitment to meeting the evolving travel needs of our passengers," Norse Atlantic Airways’ CEO and Founder Bjorn Tore Larsen said in a statement shared with T+L. «We believe this route will not only cater to the demand for travel to Greece but will also create opportunities for cultural exchange and business collaborations between these two vibrant destinations,”
traveldailynews.com
03.01.2024 / 12:39
AirlineRatings.com names its top-25 safest airlines for 2024
AirlineRatings.com Names Air New Zealand As Its Safest Airline For 2024
traveldailynews.com
03.01.2024 / 09:33
Norway travel guide: Explore the best of Scandinavia
Norway is a treasure trove of remarkable experiences waiting to be discovered.
forbes.com
01.01.2024 / 21:07
How To Plan A Memorable Norway Northern Lights Cruise In 2024
Planning a northern lights cruise to Norway in 2024 is expected to offer some of the best opportunities in years to witness one of nature's most spectacular displays.
forbes.com
31.12.2023 / 18:56
6 Undiscovered European Travel Destinations For 2024
While the allure of popular tourist cities like London, Barcelona or Paris is undeniable, if you're seeking a destination less frequented by the masses, a more off-the-beaten-path adventure could be just what you're looking for. Here are six suggestions of lesser-known holiday spots.
skift.com
31.12.2023 / 16:13
European Union Expands Passport-Free Travel Zone
Citizens of European Union members Romania and Bulgaria will no longer need a passport from March 31, 2024 to travel by air or sea to most other EU countries as well as Norway and Switzerland, the council of EU governments said on Saturday.