In a significant step forward, Turkish Cargo has officially finalized a capacity agreement with Norwegian low-cost, long-haul carrier, Norse Atlantic Airways. This partnership marks a major milestone in strengthening cargo transportation between the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Americas, offering enhanced logistics solutions for global business partners.
“We are thrilled to work with Norse Atlantic Airways to expand our cooperation and offer even more efficient logistics solutions,” said Turkish Cargo in a LinkedIn post, underscoring the partnership’s importance in supporting their growing network.
The agreement was solidified during an official signing ceremony attended by Ali Türk, Chief Cargo Officer of Turkish Airlines, and Magnus Engström, Cargo Director of Norse Atlantic Airways. Turkish Cargo operates a fleet of 18 aircraft, including Boeing 777 freighters and Airbus A330 freighters, with an additional order of five Airbus A350 freighters expected by 2027. In addition to its dedicated freighters, Turkish Cargo utilizes the belly cargo capacity of its passenger aircraft.
On the other hand, Norse Atlantic Airways, which operates solely with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, relies entirely on the belly cargo capacity of its six operational widebody aircraft. Each Boeing 787-9 offers up to 12 tonnes of cargo space, a key component of the airline’s long-haul strategy.
Meanwhile, in a related development, India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has signed an agreement to damp-lease one of Norse’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Set to begin service on the Delhi–Bangkok route on March 1, 2025, this marks IndiGo’s entry into the widebody aircraft market. The lease agreement, initially for six months, can be extended up to 18 months, subject to regulatory approval.
This damp lease agreement is part of IndiGo’s strategy to meet growing demand for air travel. IndiGo also plans to wet lease three additional Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Norse, bringing the total to four. Though initial reports indicated that IndiGo would lease six Boeing 787-9 aircraft, the revised agreement confirms four. The airline continues to explore additional aircraft leasing opportunities as it prepares for the delivery of its A321XLRs in 2026 and A350s in 2027.
LN-FNC, the specific Boeing 787-9 being leased to IndiGo, is 6.8 years old and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. It will complement IndiGo’s two Boeing 777-300ERs, which are currently wet-leased from Turkish Airlines. This growing relationship highlights IndiGo’s expanding fleet as it ramps up operations to meet increasing passenger demand.
As Norse Atlantic Airways navigates new routes and partnerships, its agreements with Turkish Cargo and IndiGo reinforce its position in the global air cargo and passenger markets.
