Norwegian Airline CEO sees $69 airfare for one way US-Europe trip

The air travel between the US and Europe is expected to be more affordable in the days to come. Norwegian Airline CEO Bjørn Kjos forecasts $69 airfare for one way between Europe and the US is possible by early 2017. Flying to the US and return to Europe can be affordable if your destination to any American airport that has lower fees. Generally, taxes or fees and user charges at the airport make the difference in airfare. Operating air services to such US airports that have little or no international exposure can be affordable for passengers.

For instance, Flight to Edinburgh (Scotland), and Bergen (Norway), and to US airports that have lower tariffs is an attractive business proposition for the budget airlines as the round trip is expected to be 60 percent of the normal fare. However, such affordable air services to low fare US airports can be possible if aviation regulator approves customs stations at regional airports for handling international passengers.

The busiest airports in the US charge higher fees, which is the main reason for high airfare for passengers. Norwegian Airlines is planning to offer affordable air services between the US and Europe, and grabbing share from major airlines, which dominate the trans-Atlantic flying. Deutsche Lufthansa AG and other major airlines offer a number of destinations via different airport hubs.

The non-stop service from Europe to any low fare airport in the US can keep the costs of operation at permissible level, according to Kjos, who said: "I think you will see a lot to that effect within five years. What will happen to (Lufthansa) when everyone starts to fly direct?"

The normal air ticket costs $500, but if one flies to affordable US airport and return from it would be at least $300. However, such operations require regulator's approval. Aviation regulator should agree for custom stations at regional airport handling international passengers. Kjos is confident that such arrangement can be possible.

Norwegian Airline is the third largest budget airline in the European Union (EU). The US airports which have little or no global exposure and have lower tariffs such as New York's Westchester Country Airport and Connecticut's Bradley International Airport, just north Hartford, are ideal for budget airline operations, according to Norwegian Airlines CEO.

Along with Norwegian Airline, Iceland's Wow Air has also started budget air service between Boston and Paris for $99. Eurowings, the low-cost subsidiary of Lufthansa, is also planning to offer long-haul flights at affordable airfares. Operating Boeing 767, such service may not be possible, observes Kjos.

The days are not far off for those who were dreaming of enjoying Scottish countryside or Scandinavian food but couldn't do owing to exorbitant airfares. Once such affordable air services become operational in 2017 hopefully, you can enjoy your trips to the US and EU without bothering about airfare.

The wide body aircraft consume more fuel and its range is also shorter than Boeing Dreamliners, which have been in the fleet of Norwegian Airlines. The Norwegian airline has announced that it operated long-haul flights with 96 percent occupancy in September.