Norwegian Air builds up London long-haul office to lure talent

Norwegian Air Shuttle is consolidating the team that runs its long-haul flights in London as the debt-laden carrier seeks to add executive talent at a unit crucial to its survival in the ultra-competitive discount market. The company is building a 16-strong contingent in the city, leaving just a few dedicated staff at its main base in Fornebu, near Oslo, Matthew Wood, its senior vice president for commercial long-haul and new markets, said in an interview. Norwegian picked London as the main office for the long-haul business to help tap a bigger pool of international expertise after establishing Gatwick airport, south of the capital, as its biggest intercontinental hub. The operation serves 11 US cities plus Buenos Aires, to be joined by Rio de Janeiro from March 31. The airline has been working on the office changes for nine months, according to Wood, who previously split his time between London and the group’s Scandinavian headquarters. He still travels regularly to Oslo for meetings. Norwegian is due to report earnings on Thursday.<br/>