Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) LN-WDC (msn 4071) TRD (Ton Jochems), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) (Bodo and Oslo) is replacing parent SAS on two feeder routes to the Copenhagen hub. On October 30 Widerøe launched Bombardier Q400 flights between Haugesund and Copenhagen and between Kristiansand and Copenhagen.

Wideroe Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on the photo for additional information.

Route Map:

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) was once again the world’s most punctual airline, this time for the month of April. SAS was the only major airline worldwide to achieve a punctuality higher than 90% last month, with the airline scoring 90.78%. For the past three years, SAS has also been named Europe’s most punctual airline.

In April, 17,782 flights out of 19,701 arrived on time. SAS Group subsidiaries Widerøe and Blue1 were also amongst Europe’s best performers with 91.95% and 90.17%, respectively. Widerøe is featured in the Regional airlines category, while SAS is in the Major airlines category.

All data is provided by the independent source Flightstats. Flightstats track the performance of over 150,000 flights per day, archive the data for analysis and publication, and provide real time flight status to millions of travelers worldwide each day. For more information about Flightstats, please visit www.flightstats.com. SAS is included in the category Major airlines.

Unfortunately for the company, being on-time did not translate well to the financial side. SAS posted a loss of 729 million kronor ($108 million) in the first three months of the year, a significant increase from 373 million kronor reported loss in the same quarter in 2011 according to the Seattle Times.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Ariel Shocron.

SAS Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Blue1 Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Wideroe Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Middle Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems.

Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) (Bodo and Oslo) has been selected as the European Airline of the Year by the European Regions Airline Association.

The company has issued the following statement:

Widerøe is awarded European Airline of the Year 2012 by the ERA (European Regions Airline Association). The ERA Airline of the Year Award was established in 1991 and aims to recognize excellence and achievements of intra-European airlines. The price is awarded every year on the base of quality, economy and position of the airline.

This year Norwegian Widerøe went all the way to the top. Feedback from the judging panel on the gold medal is that Widerøe is a well-managed airline that remains predictable at a top level in unpredictable surroundings.

In other news, the growing airline is acquiring three additional ex-SAS Bombardier DHC-8-402s (Q400s).

Copyright Photo: Moritz Riemer. DHC-8-402 (Q402) LN-WDA (msn 4069) arrives at Copenhagen.

Wideroe: 

Frameable Color Prints and Posters: 

Route Map:

Please click on the map for the full size view.

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) has announced a new restructuring plan to achieve profitability including selling some of its assets including subsidiary airline Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS (Bodo and Oslo) in Norway. The airline wants to reduce costs by another $440 million annually.

The company issued several statement this morning including this:

A new comprehensive plan will pave the way for a new, strong and competitive SAS. The plan needs to be fully implemented and new collective agreements must be signed in a very short space of time in order for SAS to have access to necessary funding.

This plan will give SAS a fresh start and will create a completely new platform for the future. It is a profound plan that demands a lot from the entire organization, but that needs to be implemented to allow the company to adapt to the current market conditions. It will enable SAS to compete effectively in the expanding private travel market, while retaining its strong position in the important business travel market. SAS will therefore be able to continue to offer its 27 million passengers a superior network and competitive travel services.

This plan will ensure that the conditions in all of the collective agreements are fully in line with the market, it will eliminate complexity by centralizing and reducing administration, and it will make SAS more flexible by outsourcing more work to external suppliers.

SAS’s banks and main shareholders have given this plan their full support and will make credit available to SAS on equal terms. However, this support is conditional upon SAS delivering fully to this plan and upon the new collective agreements being signed in a very short space of time.

The plan will result in total annual savings of around SEK 3 billion and will also see some of SAS’s assets being sold at a value of around SEK 3 billion. This will make SAS less dependent on external lenders in the future.

The Board has given its unanimous support to this plan and recommends that all of the company’s employees support it as well. The Board will meet again on Sunday November 18, 2012 to decide if the conditions for the implementation of the plan exist.

“This truly is our ‘final call’ if there is to be a SAS in the future. We have been given this final chance to make a fresh start and to carry on these fundamental changes. I know that we are asking a lot of our employees, but there is no other way. I hope that our loyal and dedicated employees are willing to fight for the survival of SAS and for our jobs. If we do this, we will be able to invest in new aircraft in the long term and to further develop our operations. This will ensure that SAS will continue to play an important role for millions of people in Scandinavia in the future,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO of SAS.

Internal meetings will be held today and over the next few days to inform SAS employees of the plan and the requirements contained in the new agreements.

The 4 Excellence Plan, which was announced in September 2011, is on target to deliver approximately 5 bn SEK in EBT effect. Despite this success, SAS foresees the need for further improvements to secure its long-term competitiveness. In a challenging environment for airlines, SAS must take decisive action to address its cost structure, improve its capital structure on a long-term basis, and takesteps to reduce the negative impact on equity in 2013 due to changed pension accounting regulations.

4 Excellence Next Generation to improve profitability

The Board of SAS has approved the 4 Excellence Next Generation (4XNG) plan to address the issues facing SAS. The 4XNG plan will improve EBT by approximately 3 bn SEK on an annualized basis and improve the overall cost flexibility through:

· New union agreements for personnel
· Centralization of administration functions
· Reduction of compensation to market levels
· New pension terms
· Outsourcing of Call Centers and Ground Handling

1.5 bn SEK in improved EBT is expected to be realized in the financial year 2012/13, with most of the remaining annualized benefits realized in the financial year 2013/14. The plan is self-financing and requires no new capital.

The restructuring cost and one-off implementation costs will be approximately 1.5bn SEK, whereof 0.9-1.0 bn SEK in financial year 2012, and will be fully funded from expected savings.

New pension terms will mitigate the need for new equity

As a result of the revised IAS19, that will be applied by SAS as of November 2013, the SAS Group’s shareholders’ equity will be reduced when all unrecognized deviations from estimates and plan amendments will be recognized in full in shareholders’ equity. The 4XNG plan will result in a transition, for the majority of the employees, from the current defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans.  These changes will mitigate the negative impact on equity by an estimated 2.8 bn SEK, reduce defined benefit obligations by 19 bn SEK (58%) and reduce volatility in future earnings resulting from changes in pension assumptions. These pension changes, together with the other actions announced today, provide SAS with the confidence that it will retain a strong equity position.

Asset Disposal and Financing Plan to increase liquidity

The Plan involves a commitment to complete an asset disposal and financing plan, which totals approximately 3 bn SEK in potential net cash proceeds. The proceeds will improve SAS’ internally generated financial preparedness and allow SAS to further reduce its financial leverage. The asset disposal and financing plan includes:

· Widerøe, a subsidiary regional airline in Norway
· Airport realated real estate interests;
· Ground handling; and
· Aircraft engines

In addition, SAS will also actively consider opportunities to realize further value from its financed aircraft portfolio and other assets.

3.5 bn SEK Revolving Credit Facility conditional on signed union agreements and parliamentary approvals

SAS has reached an agreement to increase its existing 3.1 bn SEK revolving credit facility to 3.5 bn SEK and extend the term of the facility to 31 March 2015. SAS’s bilateral facilities in the amount of 1.25 bn SEK will be cancelled as these facilities provide limited benefit at a significant financial cost.

This new revolving credit facility alongside SAS’ cash resources will provide the required financial preparedness while it completes its asset sales and realizes the full benefits from its cost reduction plans.

The new revolving credit facility is being provided by seven current lenders and SAS’ core shareholders (The Kingdom of Denmark, the Swedish State, the Kingdom of Norway and KAW) on equal terms. The availability of the new revolving credit
facility is subject to final documentation, parliamentary approval where required, and it is conditional on signed union agreements that are a central and integral part of the 4XNG plan.

SAS has initiated discussions with its relevant unions and will initiate a broad communication effort towards its employees to obtain their consent to the changes in the union agreements within a very short time.

Oddly SAS also reported a third quarter net profit of $64 million.

Read the local media report by The Copenhagen Post: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Wideroe’s Bombardier DHC-8-103 LN-WIO (msn 417) waits for its passengers at Trondheim above the Arctic Circle in Norway.

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS: 

Wideroe: 

SAS Group (Scandinavian Airlines-SAS) (Stockholm) has today signed an agreement to sell 80% of its shares in Widerøe Flyveselskap AS (Bodo and Oslo) to a group of investors consisting of Torghatten ASA, Fjord1 AS and Nordland Fylkeskommune (together referred to as the “Investor Group”). SAS will retain a 20% share in Widerøe but will have an option to transfer full ownership of Widerøe in 2016.
The sale of Widerøe represents an important step in the improvement of SAS’ financial position with a significant reduction of SAS’ financial leverage. SAS and Widerøe will have a continued close commercial cooperation after the transaction, with Widerøe remaining an important regional partner to SAS.

As part of the transaction, SAS will sell seven Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) aircraft to Widerøe which are currently leased by Widerøe from SAS. The loans related to these aircraft will be transferred to Widerøe. Additionally, three aircraft, currently not in use, has been sold from SAS to a lessor and subsequently leased by Widerøe.

SAS will receive approximately SEK 2.0 billion in conjunction with the divestment of Widerøe, including the aircraft-related transactions, and up to SEK 2.3 billion in total proceeds in the case of a full divestment in 2016. The total proceeds will reduce net debt by the same amount.[1] Additionally, the transaction will reduce the previously announced negative impact on equity of amended reporting rules for pensions by approximately SEK 1.0 billion from SEK 7.9 to SEK 6.9 billion.

The sale of Widerøe is expected to result in a limited capital loss for SAS of approximately SEK 230 million in case of a full divestment in 2016.

“This divestment is in line with the 4Excellence Next Generation strategy to build a long-term financially strong SAS. We are pleased to have developed Widerøe into a successful airline under SAS’ ownership and we look forward to continue strengthening Widerøe’s position as the leading regional airline in Norway together with the new owners”, says Rickard Gustafsson, SAS Group
President and CEO.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance from Norwegian competition authorities, and is expected to close in September 2013.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) LN-WDC (msn 4071) is seen on the ramp at Trondheim above the Arctic Circle.

Widerøe: 

Route Map:

The SAS Group’s (Scandinavian Airlines-SAS) (Stockholm) sale of Wideröe Flyveselskap AS (Bodo and Oslo) has been approved by the Norwegian competition authority. The closing of the sale is expected to take place in September 2013.

The cost reductions and the divestments performed in accordance with the 4XNG plan will lead to an improvement in SAS financial position and liquidity.

According to the group, “In November 2012, SAS renegotiated its revolving credit facilityof MEUR 366 to an amortizing credit facility of MSEK 3,500, divided into two tranches with separate conditions for drawdown and with a maturity in March 31, 2015. Lenders are SAS four majority owners, including the Scandinavian states and a syndicate of seven merchant banks, all participating on the same terms.

In connection with the divestment of Wideröe, the amortizing credit facility has been re-negotiated and amended. The actions under the 4XNG plan have made it possible for SAS to reduce the facility to MSEK 2,000. The facility is divided into two tranches with separate conditions for drawdown, one with a maturity in June 1, 2014 one with a maturity in March 31, 2015. The facility remains undrawn.”

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com (please click on the photo for the full size view). All others by Wideroe. Bombardier DHC-8-103 LN-WIA (msn 359) and crew await the next group of passengers at Trondheim, Norway.

Wideroe: 

Video: A typical approach and landing at Hammerfest, in northern Norway:

Copyright Photos: Wideroe. A typical approach at a rural Norwegian airport.

Current Wideroe Route Map:

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) today announced it has completed the sale of subsidiary Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) (Oslo).

The airline issued this statement:

On May 3, 2013, SAS announced that an agreement had been signed to sell 80% of the shares in Wideroe’s Flyveselskap AS (Wideroe) to an investment group consisting of Torghatten ASA, Fjord1 AS and Nordland Fylkeskommune. The transaction was expected to be completed during September 2013.

SAS has today (September 30) transferred 80% of the shares in Wideroe to the investment group. The total transaction proceeds amount to approximately SEK 2 billion, including aircraft related transactions, which will reduce SAS’ net debt by a
corresponding amount. Approximately half of the total transaction proceeds are strengthening SAS’ cash and cash equivalent position. In addition, the transaction will reduce the previously announced negative effect on SAS’ shareholders’ equity from amended reporting rules for pensions by approximately SEK 1 billion.

SAS has reserved MSEK -300 in the second interim report 2012/2013 resulting from the sale of Wideroe. The final capital result will be reported in the fourth interim report 2012/2013.

SAS will divest the remaining shares in Widerře during 2016.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Wideroe’s (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) LN-WDF (msn 4244) is portrayed at a stop at Torp (Sandefjord).

Wideroe: 

Eastern Airways (Humberside) has signed a new codeshare agreement with Wideroe (Bodo) which will provide UK travellers greater Norwegian connections via Aberdeen and Newcastle, along with improved access to the Norwegian carrier’s comprehensive network of Scandinavian destinations.

As part of the codeshare partnership, Eastern Airways “T3” flight code will continue to be placed on services between Aberdeen and Stavanger and Newcastle and Stavanger. It will also be added to Aberdeen – Bergen services, which are bookable on Eastern Airways website and via travel agents from today (November 17).

This codeshare partnership and ticketing agreement will enable Eastern Airways to offer UK connections on its services from Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Norwich, Southampton, Stornoway and Wick John O’Groats to Stavanger and Bergen via Aberdeen.

Onward connections in Norway are also available on Wideroe’s network, including those to Haugesund, Kristiansand, Skien, Kristiansund, Molde and Sandefjord. In turn, Wideroe will be able to offer connections on Eastern Airways’ network to Norwegians travelling onwards within the UK.

Wideroe is Scandinavia’s largest regional airline operating to more than twice as many airports in Norway than any other airline. It flies to 48 international and domestic destinations.

Humberside Airport based Eastern Airways has been providing flights from Aberdeen since 1997 and Newcastle since 2003.

Top Copyright Photo: Nik French/AirlinersGallery.com. Eastern Airways currently has a fleet comprising of 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145s, 50-seat SAAB 2000s, 37-seat Embraer ERJ 135s and 29-seat British Aerospace (BAe) Jetstream 41 aircraft. SAAB 2000 G-CERY (msn 008) prepares to depart from Manchester.

Eastern Airways aircraft slide show: 

Wideroe aircraft slide show: 

Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, for up to 15 Embraer E2 family jets. The contract consists of three firm orders for the E190-E2 and purchase rights for 12 further E2 family aircraft. This flexible mix of purchase rights for E175-E2, E190-E2, and E195-E2 will give Widerøe the ability to grow their fleet with a family of aircraft from 80 to 130+ seats, to right size capacity to meet market requirements.

Widerøe will configure the E190-E2s in a comfortable single-class layout with 114 seats. Deliveries are scheduled for 2018. This deal brings the E-Jets E2 backlog to 275 firm orders plus Letters of Intent, options and purchase rights covering another 415 aircraft giving a total of 690 commitments from airlines and leasing companies.

The flies close to 3 million passengers annually and flies to 46 domestic and international destinations. Widerøe operates more than 450 flights every day and operates to more than twice as many airports in Norway than any other airline. Today our network consists of 60% commercial routes, and 40% PSO routes (Public Services Obligations).

Image: Embraer.

Route Map:

Finnair has made this announcement:

As a part of its growth strategy, Finnair will open new routes between its Helsinki hub and Bergen and Tromsø in Norway in May 2018, connecting the regions to Finnair’s extensive Asian network.

The routes will be operated by Norwegian regional airline Wideroe, and the flights are sold and marketed by Finnair. The onboard service will be based on the Finnair dual class service concept.

As of May 15, 2018, Wideroe will operate the Finnair flight from Bergen to Helsinki daily, with a brand-new Embraer 190-E2 aircraft (above). The flight’s schedule will connect to Finnair’s Asian flights as well as to Finnair’s European network. Finnair also continues to fly to Bergen via Stockholm. Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, located by the Atlantic coast and surrounded by seven mountains. The city is known for its small-town charm, breathtaking scenery and ideal opportunities for exploring the beautiful fjords of Norway.

The flight between Tromsø in northern Norway and Helsinki takes place once a week on Saturdays, with the schedule connecting to Finnair’s Asian flights as well as European flights. Tromsø is situated 350 kilometers north of the Arctic circle, and is famous for its artic nature, the northern lights and a wide variety of outdoor activities ranging from hiking to whale watching.

Both Bergen and Tromsø are ports for the popular Hurtigruten cruises along the Norwegian coastline.

Wideroe:

Widerøe continues to expand their international and Norwegian domestic services. In June and August 2018 five new international services will be started; between Bergen and Munich, Hamburg, Billund, Gothenburg – and between Kristiansand and London (Stansted).

Here are the new Widerøe services from Bergen:

Bergen-Billund: Monday, Wednesday, Friday-departure 10.45, return 12.30 (first departure on June 25).

Bergen-Munich: Monday, Wednesday, Friday-departure 17.50, return 21.10 (first departure on August 13).

Bergen-Hamburg: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday-departure 19.40, return 21.55 (first departure on August 14)

Bergen-Gothenburg: Thursday, Sunday-departure 10.45, return 12.20 (first departure August 16)

Above Copyright Photo: Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) Bombardier DHC-8-103 LN-WIA (msn 359) TRD (Ton Jochems). Image: 912543.

New services from Kristiansand to London and Trondheim:

From August 13, 2018 Widerøe will fly the new route Kristiansand-London (Stansted) on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Departure time will be 17:30, with return 20:00.

There will be a new morning departure to Trondheim on weekdays at 06.30, with return 08.20. There are also new services on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with departure 10.50 and return 15.30. The current afternoon departure on weekdays will continue on every day with departure 17.25 and return 19.35. The first, new morning departure starts on June 25, 2018, and from August 13, 2018 the whole of the new flight program from Kjevik will be operational.

Route Map:

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Widerøe announced on February 20 that they have signed a codeshare agreement, which expands the global route offering for both companies.

The two airlines now jointly offer several destinations in Norway, which means that passengers can fly with both airlines on the same booking. Thanks to the new agreement, which will come into force on February 21, KLM and Widerøe will offer customers new opportunities and flexibility to choose from a larger number of destinations for their travels, including domestic Norwegian routes to smaller destinations.

KLM will add a KL code on Widerøe’s Norwegian domestic routes, which allows passengers from around the world to change flights in Oslo, Trondheim or Bergen to continue their journey with the same ticket and a one-stop check-in to a number of smaller airports around Norway.

As of February 21, the cooperation will cover the following routes:

• Bergen (BGO) – Tromsø (TOS), Bodø (BOO), Kristiansund (KSU), Molde (MOL), Ålesund (AES) and Florø (FRO)
• Trondheim (TRD) – Tromsø (TOS), Kristiansund (KSU) and Harstad / Narvik (EVE).
• Oslo (OSL) – Florø (FRO), Ørsta / Volda (HOV), Leknes (LKN), Svolvær (SVJ), Stokmarknes (SKN), Mo i Rana (MQN)

Copyright Photo: Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) Bombardier DHC-8-103 LN-WIA (msn 359) BOO (Wingnut). Image: 909356.

Wideroe aircraft slide show:

Embraer made this announcement of April 4, 2018:

Embraer and Widerøe, Scandinavia’s largest regional airline, celebrated the delivery of the manufacturer’s first production E190-E2 today at a ceremony at Embraer’s facility in São José dos Campos. The Norwegian airline will start flying the new aircraft on domestic routes later this month.

The E190-E2 is the first of three new-generation aircraft seating from 80 to 146-seat E-Jets to be introduced through 2021. Widerøe’s E190-E2 is configured with 114 seats in a single-class layout. Widerøe has contracted for up to 15 E-Jets E2s – three firm E190-E2 orders and purchase rights for an additional 12 E2s. The total value of the order is approximately USD 873 million if all rights are exercised.

The E190-E2 received Type Certification on February 28. It is the first time an aircraft program with the level of complexity of the E2 has received Type Certificates simultaneously from three major worldwide authorities: Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC), the FAA (the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).

The E190-E2 features new ultra-high bypass ratio engines and a completely new wing and landing gear. Compared to the first-generation E190, 75% of the aircraft systems are new. Embraer recently announced some final flight tests results confirming the E2 as the most efficient single-aisle aircraft on the market. In fuel consumption, the E190-E2 proved to be 1.3% better than originally expected, a 17.3% improvement compared to the current- generation E190. The E190-E2 is also the aircraft with the lowest level of external noise and emissions in the segment. Flight test results also confirmed the E190-E2 to be better than its original specification in takeoff performance. The aircraft’s range from airports with hot-and-high conditions, such as Denver and Mexico City, increases by 600 nm compared to current generation aircraft. Its range from airports with short runways, such as London City, also increases by more than 1,000 nm allowing the aircraft to reach destinations like Moscow and the north of Africa.

The E190-E2 will also have the longest maintenance intervals among single-aisle aircraft with 10,000 flight hours for basic checks and no calendar limit for typical utilization. This means an additional 15 days of aircraft utilization over ten years compared to current generation E-Jets. Another key gain is with pilot transition training time. Pilots of current-generation E-Jets will need only 2.5 days of training and no full flight simulator to be qualified to fly an E2.

Widerøe’s E190-E2 fleet will have the support of the Flight Hour Pool Program which covers more than 300 key rotable components. Embraer’s Flight Hour Pool Program, which currently supports more than 40 airlines worldwide, is designed to allow airlines to minimize their upfront investment in expensive repairable inventories and resources and take advantage of Embraer’s technical expertise and vast component repair service provider network. This results in significant savings in repair and inventory carrying costs, reduction in required warehouse space, and the elimination of resources required for repair management, all while providing guaranteed performance levels.

Embraer is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats. The Company has 100 customers from all over the world operating the ERJ and the E-Jet families of aircraft. For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,800 orders and 1,400 deliveries, redefining the traditional concept of regional aircraft by operating across a range of business applications.

Widerøe today celebrated the commercial debut of the all-new Embraer E190-E2 as it took delivery of the its first copy.

The pictured Embraer E190-E2 LN-WEA also introduces a new livery for the carrier.

Previously the airline made this comment:

Top Photo: Embraer.

Twitter Photo by Paul Thompson:

Embraer video:

Widerøe today (April 24) became the first airline in the world to put the new Embraer E190-E2 into revenue service.

The brand new aircraft type was introduced on flight WF622 this morning on the Bergen-Tromsø route.

Embraer made this announcement:

Widerøe, Scandinavia’s largest regional airline, completed the first scheduled passenger flight of an Embraer E190-E2 this morning, April 24. The aircraft, registered LN-WEA and operating as flight WF622, departed Bergen Airport on time at 7:35 AM and arrived at Tromsø Airport two hours later at 9:35 AM local time. The flight was sold out.

Today’s flight marks the official entry into service of the first of three new E-Jets E2s that Embraer has developed to succeed its first-generation E-Jets. Deliveries of the larger E195-E2 are planned to start in 2019, and in 2021 for the smaller E175-E2.

Widerøe passengers experienced a quiet, environmentally-friendly flight on the 672 nm sector. The E190-E2 has the lowest external noise and emissions levels of any aircraft in its category and burns 17.3% less fuel than the current-generation E190.

The completely redesigned and pleasant E2 cabin interior features new acoustic treatments, an improved quiet air conditioning system and more stowage space. In some flight conditions, cabin noise levels in the E2 are 50% lower than in the main competitor.

The lowest community noise margins in the airline industry were achieved through a combination of low-drag and low-noise airframe design with outstanding field performance. These features reduce required engine thrust making the E2 much quieter during approach and take-off.

Widerøe will receive two more E190-E2s this year. It holds purchase rights for an additional 12 E2s. The total value of the order is approximately USD 873 million if all rights are exercised.

For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,800 orders and 1,400 deliveries, redefining the traditional concept of regional aircraft by operating across a range of business applications.

Photo: Widerøe.

Video:

Finnair is extending its cooperation with Widerøe and will add nine new destinations to its network in Norway. Widerøe (WF) is based in Norway and is Northern Europe’s largest regional carrier.

Within the codeshare agreement, Finnair’s AY code will be added to several routes operated by Widerøe from Finnair’s current destinations in Norway – Oslo, Bergen and Tromsø. The codeshare agreement extends Finnair’s reach in Norway, and offers new connections for Finnair’s customers traveling to and from Norway.

From May 25, 2018 onwards Finnair customers can connect with Widerøe’s flights from

• Oslo to Florø, Ørsta-Volda, Svolvær, Leknes and Stokmarknes
• Bergen to Tromsø, Bodø, Kristiansund, Molde, Florø and to Billund in Denmark
• Tromsø to Kirkenes and to Stokmarknes.

The codeshare agreement expands Finnair’s current cooperation with Widerøe. As of May 15, Widerøe operates Finnair’s flights from Helsinki to Bergen and Tromsø on Finnair’s behalf.

Photo: Embraer. Widerøe’s first Embraer E190-E2, registered as LN-WEA (msn 190) was handed over on April 4, 2018 and entered service on April 24, 2018.

Widerøe has announced that it is planning to start operating a twice weekly service between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) and Bergen in Norway.

Widerøe celebrated its first, nonstop flight from Hamburg to the port of Bergen on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

The route to Bergen will be operated three times a week all year round on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

New Embraer E-190-E2 with 114 seats are being operated on the route.

The carrier is also operating from Munich to Bergen.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Widerøe): Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) Embraer E190-E2 (ERJ 190-300STD) LN-WEB (msn 19020010) AYT (Andi Hiltl). Image: 942671.

Widerøe aircraft slide show:

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=dKw85Z&autoStart=1&captions=1&navigation=1&playButton=1&randomize=1&speed=3&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=dKw85Z&autoStart=1&captions=1&navigation=1&playButton=1&randomize=1&speed=3&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2“>

Finnair continues to expand its network in the Nordics and opens a new year-round route to Trondheim in Norway in June 2019. Finnair also adds flights to another popular destination, Tromso, in Norway.

Trondheim is Norway’s third largest city, known for its breathtaking scenery. It offers excellent opportunities for nature activities such as hiking or hunting for Northern Lights, as well as a vibrant restaurant scene.

The route will be operated by Norwegian regional airline Wideroe five days a week, with a Bombardier Q400 aircraft, and the flights are sold and marketed by Finnair.

Finnair also adds flights to Tromso in Norway, in collaboration with Wideroe, and as of June 4, will offer flights between Tromso and Helsinki three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, year-round. Tromso is situated 350 kilometers north of the Arctic circle, and is famous for its artic nature, the northern lights and a wide variety of outdoor activities ranging from hiking to whale watching.

Top Copyright photo: Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) Bombardier DHC-8-402 (Q400) LN-WDK (msn 4337) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 944735.

Wider aircraft slide show:

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Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has announced Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS of Norway has signed an agreement to apply the Extended Service Program (ESP) to another four Dash 8-100 aircraft operated by the Norwegian airline.

The ESP is the result of several structural and engineering analyses that utilized fatigue and test data accumulated on Dash 8-100 aircraft. The ESP is initiated through a Service Bulletin that makes reference to a new Maintenance Program Supplement. Widerøe will incorporate the Service Bulletin and Maintenance Program Supplement and arrange for the replacement of some structural and systems components as identified by the Service Bulletin.

In 2015, Bombardier also successfully launched an Extended Service Program for the Dash 8-300 aircraft with Chorus Aviation Inc. and Jazz Aviation LP (‘Jazz’) as the launch customer and operator.

Top Copyright Photo: Wideroe (Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS) Bombardier DHC-8-103 LN-WIA (msn 359) BOO (Wingnut). Image: 909356.

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Widerøe will restore the Bergen – London (Heathrow) route on May 20, 2021. The restored route will operate six days a week with Embraer E190-E2s (below).

The airline announced on social media:

From May 20, we will be flying directly to London Heathrow with daily tours (except Saturday).

Bernie gets around!

Widerøe is the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, with a staff of 3,000 and a turnover of NOK 3.5 billion. The company carries around 2.8 million passengers annually and flies to 50 domestic and international destinations.

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