Norway’s newest airline ready with jets but still no permits to fly

At least one lessor believes the low-cost, long-haul model could work, even with so many doubters in recent years. AerCap is leasing nine Boeing 787s to Norse Atlantic Airways that will form the backbone of the startup carrier’s fleet when it starts flying later this year. The 787s are all used — six 787-9s and three 787-8s. These will be the first aircraft in the new airline’s fleet. The 787 isn’t an unfamiliar aircraft to the team behind Norse Atlantic Airways. Norwegian Air recently began divesting its fleet of leased 787s when it ended its long-haul operations. Norse Atlantic was founded by former Norwegian Air CEO Bjorn Kjos and former Chairman Bjorn Tise, along with Bjorn Tore Larsen, the head of an aviation staffing firm that once supplied crews to Norwegian. “We now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a brand new airline from scratch,” Larsen said. Norse Atlantic Airways expects to take delivery of its first 787 in December, with the rest following by the first quarter of next year. The airline’s business model replicates the one jettisoned by Norwegian Air when that carrier filed for administration. Story has more.<br/>