Norwegian To Discontinue Transatlantic Routes

Norwegian will discontinue its transatlantic routes – which includes service from Hamilton, Ont., originally operated by the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft this September.

The decision follows months of substitute aircraft and wetlease operations covering the airline’s routes due to the global grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft. There are no changes to the 46 nonstop routes operated by the Dreamliner from the United States to Europe.

“Since March, we have tirelessly sought to minimize the impact on our customers by hiring, so called wetleasing, replacement aircraft to operate services between North America and Ireland. However, as the return to service date for the 737 MAX remains uncertain, this solution is unsustainable,” said Matthew Robert Wood, senior vice-president Commercial Long-Haul and New Markets, Norwegian.

In March, Norwegian managed to implement a back-up plan within 24 hours of the Boeing 737 MAX grounding, accommodating all customers booked on the airline’s 737 MAX routes from both New York Stewart International Airport and Providence, as well as launch the new route from Hamilton/Toronto, Canada, to Dublin.

Nonstop services to Cork and Shannon ended in March with the grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft and passengers were rerouted to Dublin flights out of both Providence and Stewart. The service to Dublin from the two US cities and, also Hamilton, continued, but will now end with the last flight from the US – both Providence and Stewart – on Sept. 14, arriving in Dublin on Sept. 15. The last flight from Hamilton will depart Sept. 13. Norwegian will no longer operate any substitute aircraft for the 737 MAX.

Customers booked on affected flights have been contacted and offered the option of either being rerouted on to other Norwegian flights or a full refund.