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Norwegian Air Shuttle aircraft acquisition

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25-Jan-2012 Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has placed orders with Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Airbus S.A.S. comprising a total of 372 aircraft whereof 222 are on firm order.

The firm orders are for 22 Boeing 737-800, 100 Boeing 737 MAX8 and 100 Airbus A320neo. The agreements also include purchase rights for an additional 100 Boeing 737 MAX8 and 50 Airbus A320neo. The firm orders have an aggregated value at list price of approximately NOK 127 billion.

Norwegian will be the European launch customer for the new Boeing 737 MAX8. The aircraft is the successor of the 737-800 featuring an all-new engine configuration which combined with airframe improvements will give a 10 - 12 % reduction in fuel burn over its predecessor. The existing 737-800 is currently the most efficient single-aisle aircraft and is the backbone of Norwegian's operation.

Norwegian will take delivery of the new Airbus A320neo for future business and growth opportunities. The aircraft is the successor of the existing Airbus A320 featuring an all-new engine configuration which combined with airframe improvements will reduce fuel burn by 15 - 17 % compared to the existing A320.

Today's order will consolidate Norwegian's position as one of the most competitive and cost efficient airlines in Europe. The order is designed to replace the existing fleet and to secure the best available capacity for growth. The order is in line with Norwegian's established strategy of continuously striving for the lowest cost in the company's markets which include operating the most fuel and cost efficient aircraft.

The delivery of aircraft starts in 2016. The aircraft purchase is supported by the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im) and European Export Credit Agencies.

Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA, commercially branded "Norwegian," is a public low-cost airline noted on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The company is the second largest airline in Scandinavia, and has a route portfolio that stretches across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East. With competitive prices and customer friendly solutions and service, the company has experienced significant growth over the previous years. With more than 13 million passengers in 2010, Norwegian is the 3rd largest low-cost airline in Europe. Norwegian currently operates 61 aircraft on 297 routes to more than 100 destinations and employs approximately 2 500 people.