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The new Norwegian airline was unveiled on Tuesday. The first plane to be on the wings before summer is the plan for heir-plane Erik G. Braathen.
But the company needs money, if it wants to fly.
– We need capital. It is important that it is well written. So, in addition to private capital, we have consulted the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to find out if it is possible to obtain state capital, loan capital, among other things, says Braathen in Dagnsytt 18.
– Why should the state sponsor you?
– We believe that it is a unique situation now with a crown, much of the industry is falling. If we want to secure Norwegian aviation in the future, I think we need to invest a little bit in it to make sure we have companies that mainly serve the Norwegian market, Braathen responds.
Says they must have state funds
He defines the company as a low-cost company, but guarantees that they will hire people in Norwegian collective agreements.
The company is now beginning to work to acquire investors.
They must enter into aircraft lease contracts, determine routes, and hire pilots and cabin crew.
– The state has already given some money to aviation, why should they give even more because you come?
– We start with completely blank pages, we have no debts or obligations. We started with a company that we can build efficiently and economically, Braathen responds.
– Are you going to apply to any of the support schemes that have been related to the crown crisis?
– General plans have been made that you can request. And we’ve reached out to the authorities to see if we can participate in any of these, says Braathen.
He says it will be a challenge if this doesn’t work out.
– It is a basis for us to be successful in this that we obtain a combination of private and state funds, he says.
Aviation experts are essential
AVIATION EXPERT: Associate Professor Espen Andersen, Department of Strategy and Logistics at BI Norwegian Business School.
Photo: Gunhild Hjermundrud / NRK
This makes aviation experts wonder.
– I am a little surprised that Erik Braathen’s company is not already capitalized. I would expect that when launching something. The aviation industry is the toughest industry in the world to compete with. This is daring, says associate professor Espen Andersen of BI.
– What do you think will be the response to the request to the ministry?
– It may be that the ministry considers it, but I do not think that one should start an operating company based on public sector support schemes, Andersen responds.
SKEPTIC: Professor Frode Steen at the Norwegian School of Management.
Photograph: NHH / Hallvard Lyssand
Professor Frode Steen from the Norwegian School of Management complains that the new company is asking the authorities for support.
– I think the government has enough airlines to send money to. I’d be surprised if money came out of there, Steen tells NRK.
NRK has submitted a request to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to determine whether a new company is covered by support schemes for the aviation industry. This was not answered Tuesday night.
DRESSERS: The new company had to endure a lot of jokes after this photo. Erik Braathen says there are few women in the industry, but they want more diversity.
Photo: Nicolas Tourrenc
Experienced in the industry
Braathen has previously been a member of the board of Norwegian and was CEO of Braathens Safe for ten years until 1999.
With him on the team are Brede Huser, Thomas Ramdahl, Asgeir Nyseth, Alf Sagen, Bjørn Erik Barman-Jenssen and Tord Meling, as he now launches a new Norwegian airline.
On the same day the new Norwegian company was presented, Hungarian Wizz Air announced that it will also invest in Norway.
Although Braathen defines his company as a low-cost company, he rejects them doing what Wizz Air plans, with notes of up to 199 crowns each.
– It doesn’t cover the fee once, says Braathen.
