Norwegian Veteran Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen Resigns – E24

– I am looking forward to being part of the talented team at First House and working with a wide range of industries and companies, says Lasse Sandaker-Nielsen to E24.

For many years he has been known as one of the external faces of Norwegian, both in good and bad days for the company.

After a decade with the airline, he will announce as of December 1 the transfer to the communications agency First House and its corporate communications department. It will stay in Norwegian until November.

– I have had over 10 fantastic years in Norwegian and been part of a historical journey that is unparalleled in Norwegian business. When this exciting opportunity appeared at the best communications house in Norway, it was only right for me to step in to land now, says Sandaker-Nielsen and continues:

– I am so grateful for the opportunities and trust I have earned on Norwegian, and I will miss all the great people both in the air and on the ground.

Among the highlights, the structure of Norwegian’s global communication apparatus, in which it was central, also stands out.

– Do you have any advice or thoughts to share after all these years?

– Building a global communications team is high and I think the company has received a lot of value for that. Now we have very good people in Norway, the United States, Great Britain, Spain and in the Nordic countries, says Sandaker-Nielsen and continues:

– And then it was completely crude to be able to pick up the first Dreamliner plane, with journalists from all the Nordic countries in tow.

– Of course sad that he left us

The news comes a few months after the still relatively new CEO, Jacob Schram, introduced a new management and organization team in May.

In recent years, there have been several changes to the top of Norwegian. With the entry of Jacob Schram, there were more, but among others, CFO Geir Karlsen and Executive Vice President of Communications Anne-Sissel Skånvik continue.

Skånvik, who has been Sandaker-Nielsen’s boss and colleague for all these years, describes him as an important person in Norwegian.

She says the two have worked closely together and that it’s sad that he’s quitting now, at the same time that she’s happy for him too.

– Lasse and I have had a fantastic collaboration for 10 years. Of course, it is sad that he is leaving us, at the same time that it is also good that he has the opportunity to try something completely new, says Skånvik and continues:

– With all my heart I wish you the best of luck in your new job.

From Norwegian challenger to low-cost global giant

Over the past ten years, Norwegian has grown from a competitor in the Norwegian, Nordic and eventually European markets, to a global low-price giant.

In fact, the company managed to become the largest foreign airline in New York and the second largest foreign company in Los Angeles, before the corona pandemic hit the industry.

Among other things, Norwegian placed one of the largest flight bookings in world history on 222 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, as well as the company starting long-haul routes to Asia and the US, as well as trying to establish itself in Argentina.

– During this time, Norwegian has undergone major changes, many positive things, but there has also been no shortage of challenges. Lasse has done a fantastic job with external communication, has been deputy head of the department the entire time and has also highlighted sustainability work, says Skånvik.

Sandaker-Nielsen himself describes the years in Norwegian as part of “an adventure.”

– I hope to learn new things, at the same time that it was also sad to give the message that I am going to quit smoking, he says.

Regarding the role of spokesperson for an airline, he says:

– I’ve been through a lot of storms, and it’s probably the pilot strike in 2015, the Dreamliner problems, the MAX problems, and the IAG process that I remember best. It is fun professionally and it has given me energy, at the same time it is a role that you have to like and it is not suitable for everyone, he says and continues:

– And to be successful in that role, it is absolutely crucial to have a good dialogue with journalists and at the same time get to know the company inside and out. You need to know what you are talking about.