newstodate.aero

Oct 23, 2023 (newstodate): Not unexpectedly, Norwegian has announced the move of ground handling to its new partner, Wideroe Ground Handling.
   Earlier this year, Norwegian opened a Request For Proposals concerning ground handling in Norway, indicating a possible shift when its current contract with Aviator expires.
   Starting from April 1, 2024, Norwegian will thus be handled by WGH on a five-years contract at so far 16 airports in Norway, excluding Oslo Airport where the carrier is handled by Red Handling Norway, a fully-owned subsidiary, and Bardufoss, while the handling at Svalbard Airport still remains unsettled.
   On the other hand, Wideroe suffered a severe set-back, announced in September 2023, with the loss of the ground handling contract with SAS at six Norwegian airports.
   Taking over the handling of SAS at Alesund, Bodo, Haugesund, Kristiansund, Stavanger and Troncheim is Aviator Airport Alliance that is already handling the carrier at Bergen, Tromso, Kristiansand and Bardufoss.
   The new SAS contract with Aviator will take effect from February 1, 2024, reportedly resulting in the loss of 80 percent of Wideroe's handling of SAS.  
   Early in July 2023, news broke of the acquisition by Norwegian of the Norwegian regional carrier Wideroe.
   This take-over is still under investigation by the Norwegian Competition Authority that has required more time to conduct further analyses of the acquisition for fears that competition in the Norwegian market for air travel may be impaired if Norwegian is permitted to acquire Wideroe.