Norwegian and Widerøe Reach New Milestones in November 2025 with 1.8 Million Passengers, Boosting Capacity for Christmas Travel in Norway

Published on December 6, 2025

In November 2025, Norwegian Group reached a remarkable milestone, carrying 1.8 million passengers, including 1.5 million for Norwegian and 324,000 for its regional partner, Widerøe. This impressive achievement highlights the growing popularity of both carriers, as they continue to adjust their networks to meet the demands of winter and holiday travel. With a record-breaking load factor of 85.5%, Norwegian is witnessing the benefits of its strategic decisions, as bookings and operational performance remain strong heading into the busy holiday season.

Introduction: Record-Breaking Performance in the Aviation Industry

The Norwegian Group’s success in November 2025 serves as a testament to the resilience and growth of the aviation industry. Norwegian, known for its innovative approach and efficient operations, continues to soar to new heights. Their exceptional performance in November saw the airline achieve its highest load factor ever recorded for the month, signaling a strong recovery in air travel. Widerøe, its regional partner, also played a significant role in this milestone, further strengthening the Group’s overall success.

This surge in passengers is largely due to strategic capacity adjustments, efficient management, and a robust demand for winter and holiday travel. With Christmas holidays fast approaching, both airlines are preparing for a packed schedule, as bookings for popular destinations continue to rise. The Norwegian Group has made significant strides in its operational performance, with increased unit revenue, which reflects the solid demand for both domestic and international routes.

Why the Norwegian Group is Leading the Pack

• Record Passenger Numbers: With 1.8 million passengers across Norwegian and Widerøe, the Group has proven its strength in the aviation market.
• Improved Load Factor: The 85.5% load factor in November is a significant achievement, reflecting high demand and efficient capacity utilization.
• Solid Operational Performance: Both airlines have demonstrated excellent operational performance, making them a key player in the winter travel sector.
• Strong Christmas Booking Trends: As Christmas approaches, flights are filling up quickly, with solid demand for domestic, city, and beach destinations.

The momentum is likely to continue as both airlines prepare for an influx of passengers during the Christmas period. According to Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian, the Group’s strategic network adjustments have contributed to its ongoing success, positioning it well for the upcoming busy holiday season.

Norwegian’s Impressive November Results: Key Highlights

In November 2025, Norwegian Airlines reported the following key performance indicators (KPIs):

• Capacity (ASK): 2,404 million seat kilometers, a decrease of 6% from the previous year, reflecting a more optimized capacity for the winter season.
• Passenger Traffic (RPK): 2,055 million seat kilometers, a 2% decrease, showing slight reduction in demand but still maintaining strong passenger flow.
• Record High Load Factor: 85.5%, an increase of 3 percentage points compared to the same month last year.
• Operational Performance: Norwegian continued to maintain solid operational performance, running an average of 75 aircraft in November.

This record performance, despite a slight reduction in capacity and passenger traffic, highlights the effectiveness of Norwegian’s strategy to optimize its services for peak seasons and off-peak months.

Widerøe’s November Performance

Widerøe, Norwegian’s regional partner, also contributed to the success story in November, though its performance was somewhat impacted by harsh winter weather conditions:

• Capacity (ASK): 161 million seat kilometers, a decrease of 2% from the previous year, demonstrating the impact of weather on regional operations.
• Passenger Traffic (RPK): 113 million seat kilometers, reflecting a slight decline in demand.
• Load Factor: 70.3%, a decrease of 1.4 percentage points from November 2024, impacted by adverse weather conditions.
• Operational Punctuality: 79.8%, which remained impressive given the challenges posed by winter weather.

Despite the weather challenges, Widerøe maintained excellent regularity with 99.7% of scheduled flights, a reflection of its operational resilience.

Norwegian and Widerøe’s Upcoming Holiday Plans

As the Christmas holiday period nears, both Norwegian and Widerøe are preparing for one of their busiest times of the year. Both carriers are witnessing strong demand, with several routes already filling up fast. Geir Karlsen confirmed that flights for domestic, city, and beach destinations are filling rapidly, indicating a busy holiday travel season ahead.

• Christmas Travel Demand: Both Norwegian and Widerøe are well-prepared for the peak travel period, with strong booking momentum extending well into 2026.
• New Routes Launched for Summer 2026: Norwegian has launched 30 new routes, including destinations like Las Palmas from Bergen and Stavanger, Lamezia from Oslo, Zurich from Oslo, and several other European routes.

Norwegian Group’s Future Growth Plans

Looking to the future, the Norwegian Group has outlined several key growth strategies:

• Expansion of European Routes: Norwegian has introduced new routes such as Las Palmas from Bergen and Stavanger, further strengthening its position in Europe.
• Increased Focus on Sustainability: The airline is continuously working to reduce its carbon footprint, promoting eco-friendly travel options for passengers.
• Strengthening Customer Experience: Norwegian is focused on enhancing customer service and operational efficiency, ensuring that its passengers enjoy a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

The Group’s efforts to expand its offerings and adapt to the growing demand for sustainable travel highlight its commitment to staying at the forefront of the aviation industry.

Why Norwegian Group is Set to Continue Thriving

The Norwegian Group’s record-breaking passenger numbers and strong operational performance in November demonstrate its ability to thrive even in challenging conditions. With an unwavering commitment to sustainability, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, the airline is poised to remain a key player in the European and global aviation markets.

• Sustainability: Norwegian continues to emphasize sustainable travel, introducing initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
• New Routes for 2026: With the launch of new destinations, Norwegian is set to offer even more options for travelers, expanding its reach in both Europe and beyond.
• Punctuality and Reliability: With a high punctuality rate and solid operational regularity, Norwegian remains a reliable choice for travelers.

Key Takeaways from November 2025 Performance

• 1.8 Million Passengers: Norwegian Group’s total of 1.8 million passengers is a major achievement, reflecting the success of its operations.
• Record High Load Factor: Norwegian’s 85.5% load factor in November sets a new benchmark for the airline, signaling strong demand and efficient capacity management.
• Strong Holiday Bookings: Both Norwegian and Widerøe are seeing solid demand for the Christmas season, with bookings continuing to rise.
• Future Growth Plans: Norwegian’s new routes and focus on sustainability indicate that the Group is ready for future expansion and continued success.

Conclusion: Norwegian Group’s Continued Growth and Success

As Norwegian Group prepares for a busy holiday season, its impressive November performance highlights the success of its strategic adjustments and operational excellence. With a focus on sustainability, customer experience, and expanding its route network, Norwegian is well-positioned for continued growth in the coming years. With strong demand for Christmas travel, a growing list of new routes, and a commitment to sustainability, the Norwegian Group is set to lead the way in European aviation for the foreseeable future.