Norwegian has entered into an agreement with WF Holding AS to acquire Widerøe, regional carrier in Norway. The agreement will provide customers with a broader route network and more choices. Widerøe will continue to exist as a separate company with its own brand, organisation and headquarters in Bodø.
Linking Widerøe’s regional route network with Norwegian’s domestic and international routes, secures a customer offering with better connectivity and seamless end-to-end experience. Widerøe covers more than 40 small and medium-sized airports across Norway, in addition to a few larger airports in Europe, while Norwegian offers more than 300 routes to 114 destinations in the Nordics and in Europe.
The two airlines have a very limited overlap on routes and complement each other well. Out of a total of 107 routes in Norway, out of which 85 are operated by Widerøe and 22 are operated by Norwegian, only five overlap and can all be operated with standard jet aircraft.
Widerøe is Norway’s oldest aviation group. The airline is headquartered in Bodø and has administrative offices in Oslo. Widerøe has a fleet of close to 50 aircraft and holds a market share of approximately 20 percent in the Norwegian domestic market, measured by the number of passengers.
Both companies will continue to have bases and headquarters in Norway as today. Employees will remain in their existing companies under existing collective agreements. Widerøe will uphold its existing agreements with other airlines.
Norwegian will acquire Widerøe for a cash consideration of NOK 1,125 million.
