Norwegian gets go-ahead to acquire Widerøe

Editor -

The Norwegian Competition Authority (NCA) approved Norwegian's acquisition of
Widerøe today. In July, Norwegian announced its intention to acquire Widerøe for
a cash consideration of NOK 1,125 million subject to certain closing
adjustments. The acquisition will give customers a stronger route offering, more
flight options, and will help secure and develop jobs in Norway. For Norwegian,
the transaction will enable the linking of complementary route networks, create
significant operational synergies and add diversification through Widerøe’s PSO
routes. 

“We are very happy with today's decision from the NCA and that they have taken
our inputs into account. The acquisition will give all our customers, those
travelling within, from and into Norway, an improved route offering with more
travel options, in addition to enabling seamless travel across our route
networks. We will have a more efficient operation and ensure a strong aviation
industry in Norway with local jobs and fair working conditions,” said Geir
Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian.

"We are pleased that the NCA has chosen to take our input into account and are
of course very happy that they now have approved the transaction. This has been
a demanding case for both us and the NCA, with much documentation, and we have
great respect for the work they have done. We are now looking forward to working
together with Norwegian to offer better and more competitive travels for those
who depend on air travel for their transportation needs," Stein Nilsen, CEO of
Widerøe says.

"The acquisition will secure jobs in Norway with fair wage and working
conditions, in addition to ensuring that critical public infrastructure remains
in Norwegian ownership and that Widerøe remains as a separate airline and brand, headquartered in Bodø. I couldn't wish for a better Christmas present," says
Nilsen. 

Strengthened domestic and international air travel

Air travellers in Norway can look forward to improved connectivity to Widerøe's
extensive regional route network and Norwegian's wide-ranging national and
international network. Widerøe serves more than 40 small and medium-sized
airports throughout Norway, in addition to some larger airports in Europe.
Norwegian flies over 300 routes in the high season to more than 120 destinations
throughout the Nordics and Europe. The Widerøe brand and operations will
continue to exist as its own separate airline with its head office in Bodø,
northern Norway.