Norse Atlantic Airways operated fewer than half the number of scheduled flights in August compared with the same month last year as it continued to reduce capacity in response to high fuel prices.
The airline flew 238 scheduled services across its own network during August, down from 607 flights in August 2025, while passenger numbers fell 32% year-on-year to 139,367.
Despite the reduction in flying, Norse said demand remained strong, with aircraft operating at a load factor of 98.5%, up from 94.9% a year earlier.
CEO Eivind Roald said the airline’s capacity reductions were a deliberate response to persistently high fuel prices.
“Norse maintains a strong performance in its own network with a significant year-over-year increase in unit revenue to date in 2026,” he said.
“Our deliberate capacity reductions reflect persistently high fuel prices and while this lowers the number of passengers Norse carries, we fly with nearly full airplanes.”
While scheduled flying was reduced, Norse expanded its lease and charter activity, operating 253 flights during the month compared with 52 a year earlier.
Eivind said bookings for the winter season were encouraging, adding that the airline would continue to monitor capacity levels closely.
“As fuel prices remain elevated, we remain mindful of our capacity allocation in the coming months in line with our flexible fleet deployment strategy. Bookings for the upcoming winter season continue to show promise,” he said.
Norse said on-time performance continued to be affected by air traffic control delays, airport congestion and disruption linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
