Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA is shifting management of its long-haul operation to London as the debt-laden carrier seeks to add executive talent at a unit crucial to its survival in the ultra-competitive discount market.

The company is building a 16-strong team in the city, leaving just a few dedicated staff at its main base in Fornebu, near Oslo, Matthew Wood, its senior vice president for commercial long-haul and new markets, said in an interview.

Norwegian picked London as the main office for the long-haul business to help tap a bigger pool of international expertise after establishing Gatwick airport, south of the capital, as its biggest hub for intercontinental flights. The operation serves 11 U.S destinations plus Buenos Aires and Singapore, to be joined by Rio de Janeiro from March 31.

The airline has been working on the office changes for nine months, according to Wood, who previously split his time between London and the group’s Scandinavian headquarters.

Norwegian is due to report earnings on Thursday, when investors and analysts will be looking to hear how the company plans to sustain its business after British Airways owner IAG SA said Jan. 24 it had abandoned takeover plans, sending the stock tumbling 26 percent.

The Nordic carrier responded by shoring up its finances with a move to raise 3 billion kroner ($352 million) in a rights issue backed by investors including shipping magnate John Fredriksen. It’s also seeking 2 billion kroner in cost cuts and working with an even higher figure internally, a spokesman said.