Norwegian Airlines to Discontinue Nonstop Flight to Scotland

Norwegian Airlines will discontinue its nonstop service from Bradley Airport to Edinburgh, Scotland, the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) said. 

A tax called the United Kingdon's Air Passenger Duty (APD) is levied on passengers who use Edinburgh Airport and "has had a debilitating effect on Norwegian’s business model," CAA Executive Director Kevin A. Dillon said in a statement.

"Indeed, Norwegian [Airline]’s decision to discontinue the Bradley route has not been made in isolation. Bradley is not the only airport with Norwegian service to Edinburgh that is being impacted by these dynamics," Dillon said.

While Norwegian Airlines prides itself on serving "ultra-low" cost options, according to Dillon, the ADP doubles the passenger's total flight costs.

"We knew from the start that the lack of connecting options at Edinburgh Airport would make the Norwegian service a challenge to maintain. However, we were pleased to see that Norwegian’s performance was in line with expectations for a new airline entrant starting operations at Bradley. This, unfortunately, was not enough to mitigate the financial pressure that the airline has experienced on the UK side," Dillon said.

The airline released a statement confirming that they were cutting service to Hartford and reducing the number of flights from other US airports.

"We are urging the Scottish Government to quickly resurrect plans for a reduction in air passenger taxes, which would re-open the door for more flights and lower fares for American passengers," a spokesman for the airline wrote in a statement released to the media.

The nonstop flight from Bradley Aiport to Scotland began in June 2017. The airline said they still see potential in the Hartford market and will look into future opportunities.

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