Kan si opp 1 av 5 i Danmark

Over 1 in 5 Norwegian Air Shuttle employees at the Copenhagen base are at risk of losing their jobs as the airline discusses layoffs, Norwegian Air Shuttle confirms to E24. The company is facing significant challenges, with high fuel prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and a struggling market in Copenhagen affecting its operations.

Sara Westphal Emborg Neergaard, Norwegian's Denmark head, explains that the downsizing is due to seasonal fluctuations and the need to make the company more resilient amid changing circumstances. Of the 230 pilots and 400 cabin staff based in Copenhagen, 55 pilots and 70 cabin staff could lose their jobs. Norwegian is exploring options such as increased flexibility, staggered contracts, and even job transfers to other bases like Oslo.

This marks the first time the airline has undergone such layoffs in Copenhagen before the winter season. Neergaard attributes the challenge to increased competition from SAS, which has expanded its presence in Copenhagen, capturing a significant market share. She also highlights the impact of high fuel prices and uncertainty around the future of aviation, noting that they cannot fly to Dubai this year, a popular destination in the past.

Norwegian's market share at Copenhagen in 2025 was 15%, with SAS leading the pack at 38%, or around 12.3 million passengers. Both industries face seasonal swing variations, with Copenhagen airports seeing around 40% fewer travelers from July to January. FPU, the labor union representing Norwegian pilots and cabin staff in Denmark, is working to find solutions for its members and demanding that Norwegian make a genuine effort to mitigate the negative consequences of layoffs.

FPU leader Thilde Waast expressed her disappointment in Norwegian's situation, stating that the company appears to be in serious trouble. Despite the challenges, Neergaard remains hopeful that negotiations will lead to a resolution that helps the airline manage seasonality swings.