The union said the agreement would “deliver hundreds of jobs in the UK”. Norse will operate from Gatwick to the US from next year, stationing part of its fleet of 15 ex-Norwegian Air Boeing 787s there.
Balpa national officer Terry Brandon said: “This is a glimmer of hope for the struggling UK aviation industry that is much needed. We are pleased to welcome Norse Atlantic to London and the new jobs they will deliver at this critical time.”
He added: “Our negotiating team has been incredibly impressed with the company’s business plan, as it will provide sustainable long-term careers for our members on its transatlantic route network. This collective agreement will facilitate a fruitful relationship between Balpa and Norse to ensure that Norse is a great place to work.”
Norse Atlantic´s chief executive, Bjorn Tore Larsen, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Balpa to offer pilots the opportunity to return to the cockpit and create hundreds of new jobs in the UK, especially following a tough time for the entire aviation industry.”
Norse will offer routes including New York and Orlando. It said the first flights “are expected to take off in late first quarter or early second quarter of 2022”.