BUENOS AIRES - Norwegian Air Argentina, an Argentinean subsidiary within the Norwegian Group, today launched its national operations - this represents the sixth domestic market for the airline group following Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Spain. Norwegian first operated flights between Buenos Aires and London on February 14 this year with Norwegian Air UK. This expansion continues airline’s growth in South America with Brazil next to follow in 2019.

Norwegian Air Argentina’s maiden flight – DN6022 - from Buenos Aires’ Aeroparque Jorge Newbery to Córdoba Airport, took off with the airline’s regional CEO, Ole Christian Melhus, as the captain. The airline currently has 120 employees and plans to add 230 more in the Argentine base by the end of 2019.

“It is truly an honor to be part of this magnificent milestone for Norwegian in Argentina, which will contribute to increasing connectivity, stimulating tourism and creating thousands of new jobs in this country. From today and for many years to come, we will see Norwegian’s aircraft with the iconic red nose flying the beautiful blue Argentine skies. A very warm thank you to President Mauricio Macri, Minister Guillermo Dietrich,Secretary Gustavo Santos,Tomás Insausti of ANAC (National Civil Aviation Administration), and to everyone who made this possible, on behalf of all of us who are part of the Norwegian Group here and in the rest of the world," said Norwegian Air Argentina CEO Ole Christian Melhus at the ceremony.

“This is a historic day for Argentinean aviation. One of the largest airlines in the world, Norwegian, joins our air transportation today. An airline that is investing in our country, creating new jobs— trusts our pilots, cabin crew, mechanics, and overall our people.is bringing unprecedented connectivity to Argentina. And from this day forward, many more people are going to be able to fly; air travel is no longer synonymous with privilege,” said Guillermo Dietrich, Argentina’s Minister of Transportation.

Norwegian Air Argentina’s first aircraft is a Boeing 737-800, which pays tribute to Argentine musician and composer Astor Piazzolla as Norwegian’s signature tailfin hero. As of late November, Norwegian’s domestic flights will offer free Wi-Fi on board, just as the airline was the first in Europe – and still is the only European airline – to offer free Wi-Fi.

By the end of this year, Norwegian Air Argentina will have a fleet of four aircraft, all of which will be less than a year and a half old, which it will operate six routes connecting Buenos Aires with Córdoba, Mendoza, Iguazú, Neuquén, Bariloche and Salta. In this first stage, all operations in Buenos Aires will be carried out at the Jorge Newbery Airport. The plan is to have between 10 and 15 Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating in Argentina by the end of 2019.