Norwegian begins to drop flights to secondary airports

Norwegian has announced two changes to its US network which indicate a change of strategy.

Older readers will remember that, when Ryanair launched, it focused on flying to random airports in the middle of nowhere.  Hamburg flights went to Lubeck, for example.  The majority of these routes have been dropped because business passengers refused to fly them and even most tourists eventually wised up to the downsides of a long and pricey bus ride from the airport.

Norwegian has had the same revelation.  From 31st March, flights from London Gatwick to Oakland will switch to San Francisco.  Flights from Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale will switch to Miami.

The airline is citing cargo demand as one reason for the switch.  Even if passengers are willing to take the train from Oakland to San Francisco, cargo needs to delivered directly to the handling agent.

British Airways has already dropped its ‘spoiler’ service from Gatwick to Oakland.  It remains to be seen if the plug will now be pulled on Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale as well.