Norwegian to resume UK flights on July 1

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Norwegian will restart flights to UK airports from July 1 after airline halted all international trips during the coronavirus outbreak

  • Norwegian has announced it will restart flights to UK airports from July 1 
  • The airline had been operating flights within Norway during coronavirus crisis 
  • However, it will restart 76 routes across Europe due to an increase in demand 
  • Routes from Gatwick and Edinburgh to Oslo and Copenhagen will be available 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Ollie Lewis For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Airline Norwegian has announced it will resume serving UK airports from July 1 due to increased demand.

The carrier will initially operate flights on four UK routes, connecting Gatwick and Edinburgh with Oslo and Copenhagen.

Since April, Norwegian has only operated domestic flights within Norway due to the collapse in passenger numbers caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The airline’s chief executive Jacob Schram said: ‘Feedback from our customers has shown that they are keen to get back in the air and resume their travels with Norwegian beyond the current domestic services that we have been operating.

Norwegian has announced that it will reopen flights to the UK from July 1 after the coronavirus crisis caused the airline to operate flights within only Norway

Edinburgh Airport (pictured) where Norwegian flights will resume to Oslo and Copenhagen

Edinburgh Airport (pictured) where Norwegian flights will resume to Oslo and Copenhagen 

Gatwick Aiport (pictured) will also operate flights to and from Oslo and Copenhagen

Gatwick Aiport (pictured) will also operate flights to and from Oslo and Copenhagen 

Norwegian returns: The UK airports it will fly to and from – and the rules passengers will face 

Norwegian has announced that it will operate flights to the UK from July 1 after trips were halted due to the coronavirus.

The four routes available will be:

  • London Gatwick – Copenhagen  
  • London Gatwick – Oslo
  • Edinburgh – Oslo
  • Edinburgh – Copenhagen 

The airline has said that the use of face masks is mandatory for passenger and crew on board, and that passengers are responsible for bringing their own face mask. The airline may not be able to accept your travel if you do not have a face mask. They also say masks should be changed every four hours.

Their aircraft are fitted with modern filtration technology, and crew members are trained to handle the occurrence of a suspected covid case on board. Middle seats are currently unavailable for selection so as to maintain social distancing. 

Britons are allowed to visit Norway to see family or to begin work, as long as there is proof of this. Visitors to the country are required to undertake quarantine.  

‘Norwegian is returning to European skies with the reintroduction of more aircraft to serve our key destinations which will ensure that we remain in line with competing carriers.’

Mr Schram added that Norwegian will offer ‘great value’ as ‘competition in the industry begins to recover over the summer period’.

It has introduced a series of enhanced safety and hygiene measures, including requiring passengers to wear face masks, banning hand luggage from being put in overhead lockers and not operating a catering service.

In May, the airline secured a £221 million loan backed by the Norwegian government as part of a rescue package to ensure its survival amid huge losses.

Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate, who has seen passenger numbers at his airport decimated during the pandemic, described the return of Norwegian flights as ‘very welcome news’.

He said: ‘Consumer demand is picking up as more people want to start flying again.

‘For our part, the airport is ready to go and we have implemented a range of measures to protect the wellbeing and safety of both passengers and staff in recent weeks.

‘We are starting to see small green shoots of recovery.’

Britons are allowed to visit family members in Norway, or travel to the country to begin work, provided that the work is imminent. In order to gain entry you will need to bring a copy of your contract.

Those who come to Norway to work are required to follow the quarantine regulations. 

Norway has had 8,660 covid cases and 293 fatalities 

The news comes as quarantine-free ‘air bridges’ are set to be put in place by June 30 which would allow Britons to travel abroad without needing to isolate on arrival. 

Reports suggest that the UK government is working to strike deals with Greece, Spain and Portugal that will mean visitors will not need to undergo quarantine upon arrival. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said a list of quarantine-free countries has been drawn up and will be revealed on June 29, although he did not mention countries that may be present on the list. 

Meanwhile, visits to UK territories abroad such as Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and Gibraltar are set to be allowed. Countries like France, however, are insisting that visitors from the UK undertake a quarantine period of 14 days.