Norwegian Air’s third fundraising from investors in 20 months could be the airline’s final chance to prove it can make money from cheap transatlantic air travel, one of its major shareholders said on Wednesday. Shares in the airline fell around 10% after it raised 2.5b crowns ($272m) from a discounted sale of shares, as well as a convertible bond issue. It said the money would cover its needs “through 2020 and beyond based on the current business plan”. The move was the latest by acting CEO Geir Karlsen and Chairman Niels Smedegaard, both appointed earlier this year, to try to prevent Norwegian from joining the ranks of airlines that have collapsed due to industry overcapacity. Norwegian, which has also been hit by the grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX jet, has raised 5.4b crowns from its shareholders since March 2018, including 1.3b last year and 4.1b this year, in addition to the new bond sale. Norwegian fund Sissener AS, which invested in Tuesday’s share issue and convertible bonds, said the additional funds had significantly improved Norwegian’s prospects, although it still needed to demonstrate it can generate cash. “They have to show they’re able to earn money. I don’t think the market will be as forgiving another time,” the fund’s founding partner Jan Petter Sissener told Reuters. <br/>
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A Southwest jet made an emergency landing in Norfolk, Virginia, Wednesday after a report of a small fire in the galley of the plane. The plane was able to taxi to the gate, and there were no injuries, said Steven Sterling, deputy executive director of Norfolk International Airport. Sterling says crew members on the plane bound from Baltimore to the Dominican Republic told air traffic controllers about the fire. He says fire fighters found the burned coffee pot and determined that the fire had extinguished itself.<br/>
Alaska Airlines will give you priority boarding if you're holding a Starbucks holiday cup. The excitement over Starbucks' holiday cups has reached 35,000 feet. Alaska Airlines is offering priority boarding to passengers who are holding Starbucks' holiday-themed coffee cups, who will be able to stand in an "espresso" lane. The promotion between the two popular Seattle-based companies begins Thursday and ends Sunday. The promotion doesn't stop at the gate: Alaska said some passengers will find Starbucks treats on their seats. But it does come with some caveats. Although anyone holding the Starbucks (SBUX) cup can board early, they won't be the first in line. That is still reserved for first-class passengers and elite members of its frequent-flyer program sitting in either cabin. Cup holders will board in the fifth boarding group, right before passengers sitting in the back of the airplane. Passengers who board early and are holding a holiday cup don't get any additional perks.<br/>