Norwegian Long Haul (Oslo Gardermoen) has set its sights on opening its maiden US West Coast base at Los Angeles International the Chief Executive Officer of parent Norwegian (Oslo Gardermoen), Bjørn Kjos, has revealed. Currently the airline maintains two US crew bases: New York JFK and Fort Lauderdale International.

Speaking to the Norwegian press about the carrier's first quarter financial result, Kjos said Los Angeles was a natural choice given the significant amount of traffic the city generates. Passengers on the budget carrier's flights from Los Angeles to Copenhagen Kastrup, Oslo Gardermoen, and Stockholm Arlanda are generally filled with Americans who number between 40 and 50%, he said, adding that many use Norwegian for its onward connections to Europe and Asia.

"It is because we fly so much in to/out of Los Angeles. Logistically it is much easier to have a base where you have many routes from," he said. "It's going to get more connections."

In addition to Copenhagen, Oslo, and Stockholm, Norwegian also connects Los Angeles with its London Gatwick base with plans to boost Oslo to a year-round operation.

Concerning the status of its stalled subsidiary Norwegian Air International (Dublin International), Kjos said Norwegian expected NAI to secure its foreign carrier's permit from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) next year but that its absence would not impact the airline financially this year. He added that demand on the airline's existing network was enough to sustain twice the B787-8s it currently has on its books.

"We have many options and we can fly virtually unencumbered to the US, but opening up more destinations can be difficult," he said.