By the Caribbean Journal staff

European low-cost carrier Norwegian, which has been steadily expanding its Caribbean presence in recent years, is seeing a continued surge in passenger growth, according to the company’s latest data.

The company carried around 3.4 million passengers in October, up 8 percent from the same month in 2017.

Total traffic growth rose by 25 percent last month, driven by 29 percent capacity growth; load factor was 85 percent.

“We are very pleased that an increasing number of passengers choose Norwegian for their travels. The long-haul routes represent the largest growth this month and the demand is satisfactory. However, we are now entering a period of lower demand, tough competition and high oil prices, making it even more important for the company to continue reducing its costs,”said CEO Bjørn Kjos of Norwegian.

Norwegian has been adding more flights to the Caribbean, particularly French Caribbean destinations including Martinique and Guadeloupe, out of major U.S. hubs like New York and Fort Lauderdale.

It also recently launched new service from Montreal to Martinique.

— CJ